Judith Ann (Blakely) Merrill

Judith Ann (Blakely) Merrill, 83, of Wilmington, Delaware passed away unexpectedly at her home on Friday, April 11, 2025.  Born in Wilmington on November 19, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Gerald and Mildred (Welch) Blakely.

Judy was a graduate of Wilmington High School, class of 1959, and worked for Bancroft Mills prior to becoming a devoted wife and mother.  After raising her family, Judy became employed as an administrative clerk with the New Castle County Sheriff’s Office, retiring in 2007.

Her dedication to family and friends will leave a lasting impact on all who knew her. The years spent at Pot Nets were some of the best times that we’ll all remember. One of her greatest joys was watching her children grow up in the Forty Acres and volunteering at her children’s school, St Ann’s establishing lifelong friendships. Once the kids were grown and having her family extended, she enjoyed her lunch dates and treasured dinner dates with her grandchildren. Judy will be remembered for her strength, humor, and infectious laugh. You will always smile when thinking of Judy!

Judy is predeceased by her beloved husband of 48 years, George H. Merrill Jr., who passed away in April 2009, as well as her cherished grandson, Corey Merrill in 2021. Judy was also predeceased by her brothers, Robert, Franklin, Gerald and Rev. Leonard Blakely.

Judy is survived by her children, George H. Merrill III (Cara), Jeff Merrill (Dawn), Paul Merrill (Marie),  Danny Merrill (Diane), and Deanna Merrill; her grandchildren, Bryan, Matthew, Michael, Brandon, Madison, Danny Jr., and Katherine Merrill, Amanda Fasick, Rachael and Colin Miller, Kristin Weber, Courtney MacDowell, and Evan Lightfoot; her great grandchildren, Hudson and Reese Kent, Rhys Merrill, Sophia and Liam MacDowell, Olivia, Cameron and Emma Jane Weber; her brother, Donald Blakely; her sisters, Lorraine Zickefoose, Geraldine Davis (Bob) and Bernadine Burkhard; her sisters-in-law, Rosemarie and Natalie Blakely. 

Family and friends are invited to visit at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Monday, April 21 from 4:00 – 7:00PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ann’s Church, Gilpin Avenue and Union Street, Wilmington on Tuesday, April 22 at 11:00AM, immediately followed by interment at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery, Greenville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Judy may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Little Sisters of the Poor (Jeanne Jugan Residence) 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19713.

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