BLAKE, Sally A., 65, Houlton, May 6, 2016. Services were held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10 at Bowers Funeral Home, Houlton. Arrangements by Bowers Funeral Home, Houlton.
HOULTON — Sally A (Merritt) Blake, 65, died May 6th, 2016 in Houlton, with her family by her side, after a long courageous battle with MSA, a rare neurological disorder. She was born June 15, 1950 in Houlton, the daughter of Elbridge and Virginia (Cone) Merritt.
Sally attended Houlton and Hodgdon schools, and graduated in 1968 from Hodgdon High School, a member of National Honor Society.
She then met and married the love of her life, Carl Blake, on November 26, 1969. Sally didn’t shy away from work, even after having three children. She worked various jobs from picking potatoes, working at Sears, Burger King and Dow’s Market.
She enjoyed going to camp, spending time at Vacationland Estates, four wheeling, hunting, summer trips to Conn., swimming, gardening, playing card games, especially cribbage and Scrabble. She also loved bowling, dancing, decorating for the holidays, BBQs, birthdays and any reason for a get together surrounded by family, friends and good food. In her younger years she loved being on the family farm. But what she loved the most and what kept her strong was her family.
She is survived by her three children, Rebecca and Terry Cropley, of Lambert Lake, Christopher and Crystal of Houlton, Anne and Jesse Nelson of Richlands, NC; her pride and joy, her grandchildren, Lyndsay, Lee, Lacee’, Michael, Jennah, Matthew, Hannah and Thomas; her great grandson, Bryson; her siblings, Donna Hurley, Beverly Hannigan, George Merritt, Nancy Smith, Kathy Megquier, Amy Merritt, and Steven Merritt.
Sally and Carl were looking forward to their golden years together, when Sally was diagnosed with MSA. She took the cards she was dealt and outlived what every doctor expected, all while living at home because her loving husband held to their vows, “In sickness and in health, ’til death do us part”.
She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Barbara, brothers Jerel and Kenneth and her sister-in-law and best friend, Sharon Merritt.
She will be greatly missed for her witty humor, sharp memory, the best home cooking, infectious laugh, card shark hands, and her heart of gold.
Friends called 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10th at Bowers Funeral Home, 10 Water Street, Houlton, where funeral services were held at 11:30 with Deacon Al Burleigh officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the MSA Coalition, at www.multiplesystematrophy.org or to the Visiting Nurses of Aroostook, Houlton Division. For an online memory book and to leave condolences please visit www.bowersfuneral.com.
