SULLIVAN – Joyce M. Merchant passed away on Sept. 25, 2016. She was born on Jan. 18, 1927. She was the daughter of Richard and Clara Reed Murphy. She was employed by the Cough family for 30-plus years. In her spare time, she loved to knit.
Joyce is survived by her four daughters, Dale Buzzel of Ellsworth, Myrna Shaw of Garland, Beverly and her lifetime partner, Tyrone, of Sullivan, and Leilani and husband, Ryan Leadbetter, of Lincolnville; two sons, Scott and wife, Betty, of Northeast Harbor, and Mathew and wife, Annette, of Waltham; her sister Loretia Tripp of Otter Creek; many nieces and nephews, 26 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her parents and daughter Donna Palmer, grandson Shawn Michaud, great-grandchildren Thomas Merchant, Wayne Kane Jr. and Kassandra Woodson, brothers Leland Murphy and Maitland Murphy, and sister Gail Higgins.