Merilyn G. Ciardelli

Merilyn G. “Merry” Ciardelli, 91, longtime resident of Milford, NH, died September 12, 2011 at the Rockingham County Nursing Home, Brentwood, NH. She was born August 11, 1920, in Wilmot, NH the daughter of the late Harland Lawrence and Winifred Eva (Tilton) Goodhue. Mrs. Ciardelli was raised in Bristol, NH where she was an avid swimmer at Newfound Lake and played basketball on the high school team along with her older sister, Grace. She was a 1938 graduate of Bristol High School. She moved to Washington DC during World War II where she worked for the Department of the Navy in the temporary buildings that lined both sides of the DC Mall Reflecting Pool during that time. She wed Milford resident Eugene L. “Tedo” Ciardelli in 1942 and made Milford her home following the War. She was a member of the Milford VFW Post 4368 Auxiliary, the Milford Legion Auxiliary and the Milford Historical Society. She was also a member of the Captain Josiah Crosby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Bristol, NH Sawhegenit Chapter 52 Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Ciardelli was an avid seamstress and loved sewing clothes, curtains and the many costumes worn by her and family members at the annual VFW masquerade galas. She is probably best remembered for the many years she worked at Bernie’s Fabric Store on Union Square in Milford. She was a great cook and loved preparing her family’s favorite dishes, bringing to life the Anglo/Italian heritage represented in her home. She was a loving wife and mother, a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother. Family members include her son and daughter-in-law, David & Dale Ciardelli of East Kingston, NH; two grandchildren, Amanda Allen of East Kingston, NH and Adam Ciardelli of Vienna, VA; four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, “Tedo”, one brother, Seth Goodhue and one sister, Grace (Goodhue) Westfall. A visiting hour will be held on Tuesday, September 20th from 9:30-10:30 am, immediately followed by a memorial service in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Milford. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Joseph Community Service, Meals on Wheels Program, P.O. Box 910, Merrimack, NH 03054.