January 13, 1940 – December 14, 2018
GLENBURN – Merrilee Ann (Sherman) Kirby, 78, died December 14, 2018, at her home in Glenburn, ME. She was born January 13, 1940, in Island Falls, ME, the daughter of Clair and Helen (Mitchell) Sherman.
Merrilee attended the Island Falls schools where she was very active in sports and musical activities. She graduated valedictorian of her class in 1958 and continued her education at Aroostook State Teachers College in Presque Isle from 1958-1963 where she earned a Bachelor of Science in health and physical education. She was very active in all the sports activities offered for women and also participated in a select 16 voice musical group, “Hilltop Carolers”, and the college chorus. Her college career was interrupted by a serious knee injury during her junior year at which time she began her teaching career in Dyer Brook where she taught grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 during the 1961-62 school year. After graduating from ASTC in 1963, she taught grades 7 and 8 for two years in Island Falls. In June 1965 Merrilee was married to Patrick Kirby from Staffordshire, England and they moved to Bangor where they established their home. Merrilee continued her teaching career in physical education at Union Street Junior High School from 1965 – 1979 and then from 1979 to 1991 taught at the elementary level at Mary Snow, Vine Street, Fourteenth Street, and Fairmount schools. Merrilee continued her interest in many varied musical activities, including participation in UMO’s Oratorio Society, accompanying school choruses and musicals, and singing in the Bangor First Baptist Church Choir for a number of years. She was a great fan of many styles of music and would travel far and wide to enjoy a barbershop performance. In retirement she and Pat enjoyed many years of travel adventures around the world, and continued to do so after his passing.
She was a member of the United Baptist Church in Island Falls and had attended First Baptist Church in Bangor since 1965 where she performed piano and organ duets on several occasions. In the fall of 1992 she composed a hymn for the celebration of 175th anniversary of the First Baptist Church of Bangor.
Merrilee was predeceased by her husband in 2005; her father in 1991; her mother in 2016; her maternal grandparents, Ferdie and Grace (Wilkins) Mitchell; and her paternal grandparents, Charles and Annie (Shorey) Sherman.
Those who wish to honor Merrilee’s memory may contribute to the First Baptist Church Music Fund, 56 Center St., Bangor, ME 04401, the United Baptist Church, P.O. Box 6, Island Falls, ME 04747, or a charity of your choice.
Services will be in the spring at the First Baptist Church in Bangor, with a burial to follow at the Island Falls Cemetery. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
