Woodstock, Vermont

Jeanne Wile Merrill, 74, died peacefully on Sunday May 16 ^th 2021 at Cedar Hill Health Care in Windsor, Vermont.

Jeanne was born on February 3, 1947 in Gloucester, Massachusetts, the daughter of Walter Lawson and Aileen Ruth (Stoddard) Wile.

Jeanne grew up in Lynn, MA and graduated from Lynn English High School in 1964. Jeanne loved Vermont and attended UVM where she majored in Greek and Latin Literature and received her BA - summa cum laude . After graduating from UVM in 1969, Jeanne married her true love and best friend, Norman. She then spent her years as a devoted mother raising her two young boys, Norman II and Richard.

In 1986, Jeanne worked for two years in admissions at Berkshire School in Sheffield, Massachusetts and then joined the library staff. She later became the school's head librarian, where she expressed her passion for learning and the love of reading to support students in their education. During her tenure, Jeanne oversaw the library's dramatic growth and evolution into the 21st century, and at the same time continued to raise her two sons, all the while earning a Master's in Library Science from the University of Albany. She completed Berkshire's online catalog by 1994, created an impressive online database and provided 34 computers for student use. After 27 years at Berkshire, she retired in 2013.

Jeanne was a wonderful story-teller, avid puzzler, lover of books and cats. She also loved art, cooking, mysteries and traveling whenever she could. Jeanne and Norman both loved education and mentoring students to reach their potential. Her warm smile and motherly nature always put people at ease. Jeanne's huge heart always had room in it for everyone, whether she knew you for 20 minutes or twenty years.

Jeanne is survived by her son, Norman Williams Merrill II and his wife Jennifer Hancock; her son, Dr. Richard Mark Merrill and his wife Natalie Nagy; her 5 grandchildren: Reilly, Ty, Lukas, Kyah, and Ainsley; her sister Barbara Morin and her husband Dennis; her brother David Wile and his wife Brenda; her Aunt Joan Wile and Uncle Erwin Stoddard; as well as a number of beloved nieces and nephews, including Killy and Gabe Merrill; Russell and Amy Morin; and Kimbrough, Larry and Julie Wile. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her husband Norman and a brother, Robert Wile.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, June 4 ^th at 11:00am in the Riverside Cemetery in Woodstock, Vermont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her honor to the Norman Williams Public Library, 10 the Green, Woodstock, VT 05091 or the Lucy MacKenzie Humane Society, P.O. Box 702, Brownsville, VT 05037

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock. An on line guest book can be found at cabotfh.com