Newbury, VT-  Dorothy Fisk Merrill, 88, formerly of Old West Newbury Road, died following a period of failing health, on Friday, November 17, 2017, at the Grafton County Nursing Home, North Haverhill, NH.

Dorothy was born in Somerville, MA, on February 9, 1929, to Clifton R. and Laura (Perkins) Fisk.  On July 11, 1948, she married Richard Lewis Merrill.

For thirty-five years, Dottie served as a supervisor for Central Vermont Electric Service in Bradford, VT and had been employed in the Rutland, VT, office of CVPS.  She also was the Ombudsman for the State of Vermont from 1995-1997, and in 1997 she received the award as Ombudsman of the Year.  Dottie was a tireless advocate for the elderly.

She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Newbury for over fifty years, where she sang in the choir.

In her younger years, Dottie enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and being outdoors.  She also treasured her memories of traveling to Italy.

She predeceased by her husband Richard L. Merrill on May 11, 1984, and her two brothers, Buster and Billy Fisk, who died in a drowning accident when they were youngsters.

She is survived by her daughter, Debra Merrill of Houston, TX; her son, Douglas R. Merrill and wife Kim of Newbury, VT; a granddaughter, Keran Rowell and husband Chris; and two great grandsons, Oliver and Parker Rowell.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at 10 AM at Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville, NH.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Atkinson Residence, 4717 Main Street South, Newbury, VT 05051 or to the Newbury EMS, PO Box 43, West Newbury, VT 05085.