Barbara J. Lee Merrill

November 10, 1918 - October 8, 2021

GENEVA – Barbara J. Lee Merrill departed the earth on October 8, 2021 after living 102 years with grace, kindness, and great humor. There will be no prior calling hours. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to support the Geneva Center of Concern, 58 Avenue D, Geneva, NY 14456. Barb was born on November 10, 1918 in North Syracuse, New York, the daughter of Michael and Marion Lee. A graduate of North Syracuse high school and the Central City Business Institute, she married Dr. Reginald G. Merrill, a long time Geneva dentist and warm-hearted, funny eccentric, on October 9, 1943. Until his death in 2002, Barb and “The Great R. G. “ shared a fun, lively, loving and happy life together filled with family and friends. They raised two children, retired Syracuse City Court Judge Jeffrey R. Merrill, who predeceased her in 2016, and retired District Court Judge Marsha M. Beckelman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A long time Geneva Volunteer, Barb worked generously and tirelessly as president of the Woman’s Auxiliary of Geneva General Hospital, served on the Board of Directors of the Geneva YMCA, volunteered at the Geneva Historical Society, was a trustee and deaconess of the First Presbyterian Church, and a director of the Ontario County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She held out her hand to those in need by serving regularly as a volunteer campaign worked for the Community Chest, the American Cancer Society, and the Heart Fund, to name but a few of the organizations that benefitted from her community work. For her efforts, Barb was honored in the past as a Geneva Woman of the Year. Barb was a member of the Geneva Garden Club, the Seneca Yacht Club and the Geneva Country Club and PEO. True hallmarks of Barb’s life were her enormous capacity for friendship and her great sense of humor. Barb was a unique, dynamic and vibrant woman who touched the lives of many people with her positive and giving nature, her sincerity, compassion, astuteness and generosity. The Merrill family home was a regular gathering spot for neighbors, friends from all walks of life, as well as extended family, a place where love and laughter abounded. Barb greatly enjoyed spending time at the beloved family cottage on Green Bay in Ontario, Canada; traveling with friends and family; playing cards and games; and reveling in the company of her family and many friends. Barb will be deeply missed and remembered by many people she touched, especially by those who survive her, including her daughter, Judge Marsha M. Beckelman; son-in-law John A. Beckelman; grandson Tyler M. Beckelman and his wife Anne V. Shaw; great granddaughter Clara J. Shaw-Beckelman; great grandson Reid R. Shaw-Beckelman; daughter-in-law Genevieve M. Merrill; grandsons Malcolm Merrill and Travis Merrill; granddaughter Samantha Merrill Skule and her husband Jeremy Skule and great grandchildren Hadley Skule and Grant Skule. Also surviving are her nieces Ellen Merrill, Martha Merrill, Michael Merrill, the families of her deceased niece Melissa Merrill, her nephew Stephen Merrill and his family. Barbara’s family would like to thank the many friends and helpers who lovingly attended to her as she aged, both at her home and at the Geneva Living Center. Such friends are too numerous to list, but to them we owe a great debt of gratitude. Found in her private papers, in her own handwriting is the following poem which Barb left for us to remember her by: Though I have had to leave you whom I love To go along the silent way, Grieve not nor speak of me with tears, But laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you, For who knows but what I shall be, oft times. I’d come could I but find the way And would not grief and tears be barriers? So when you hear a word I used to say Or touch a thing I loved, Let not your thoughts of me be sad For I am loving you Just as I always have.