DAVIDSON, NC – Nancy O. Merrifield, 87, passed awa…

DAVIDSON, NC – Nancy O. Merrifield, 87, passed away quietly after a brief battle with pneumonia on Saturday, August 11, 2018. Known for her strong New England roots, kindness for others and quick wit, Mrs. Merrifield is survived by her husband of nearly 65 years, Peter S. Merrifield. Peter and Nancy moved to Davidson, North Carolina in 2010, to be closer to family. Before moving to Davidson, Nancy and Peter lived in Antrim, for 38 years where they were active in local politics and Nancy was a longtime member of the Board of Trustees of the James A. Tuttle Library. Nancy was known as a voracious reader and consumed thousands of books in her lifetime. She was also an avid antique enthusiast with New Hampshire memorabilia and cookbooks being her specialties. In life she would always say that loving and being loved by her family gave her the most joy. Born in Westerly, Rhode Island to John R. and Grace Hilton Oppy, Nancy had a younger brother, Robert, who also died of pneumonia, prior to the advent of antibiotics. Nancy’s father was the long-time owner of C.W. Willard Hardware Store in Westerly, which Peter and Nancy ran until they decided to retire in 1972 and move to New Hampshire. After attending the Lincoln School in Providence, Rhode Island, Nancy went on to graduate from Wheelock College in Boston, Massachusetts where she met Peter while he was serving in the U.S. Navy. Nancy is also survived by her sons, Mark Merrifield and his wife, Patricia, of Appleton, WI and Jeffrey Merrifield and his wife, Diana, of Davidson, NC. Peter and Nancy have seven grandchildren, Caroline Merrifield and her husband, Raghav Badrinath, Scott, Seth, Graham, Althea, Trevor and Abigail Merrifield. It was Nancy’s wish that there not be a memorial service, and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to James A. Tuttle Public Library, P.O. Box 235, in Antrim, New Hampshire 03440. James Funeral Home served the family and condolences may be sent to the website at www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.