Gloria Merrill Komulainen

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Gloria Merrill Komulainen

STANDISH — Gloria Merrill Komulainen, 83, passed away peacefully in her home September 18, 2012, after a period of declining health. She was born in South Paris on November 21, 1928, to Clarence and Esther Merrill. She attended local schools and graduated from South Paris High School in 1947 and then went on to earn her beautician license. She met her husband while she worked at the Rexall as a soda jerk and married him in 1949. They moved to Kansas City and she worked several jobs while he was in watchmaking school. They then settled in Merrimac, MA, where they started their family. She explored her love for art and took art classes and competed in art shows with her paintings in Boston.

They then moved to South Windham where they purchased the Long Village Motel. She ran a beauty shop out of it while managing the motel for 13 years. She was a member of the Windham Hill Church and a Girl Scout leader. In 1979, they sold the motel and moved to Standish. She went to work outside of the house working for Sears and Pratt Abbott Cleaners as well as her hairdressing in her home.

Mrs. Komulainen was an active member of the Standish Congregational Church and their Woman’s Fellowship. She was a long time member of the Grandiflora Garden Club and a member of the Eastern Star and Grand Cross of Color. After retiring she and her husband provided care for their grandchildren while taking one day a week to go to South Paris to care for her mother until she passed in September of 2010.

All and all she was known as a wonderfully loving and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. Her family was her pride and joy and she was happiest with her family around her. She was affectionately known to the nieces and nephews as “Aunt Go Go” because she was always on the go and involved with the planning of family events. She loved gardening, cooking, and most recently her kitty, Lucky who gave her so much joy. She was a talented seamstress, often making clothing, Halloween costumes or anything that was needed. She was loved by all who knew her and respected among the community.

Surviving is her husband of 63 years, Hugo Komulainen; her sons, David and his wife Beth of Standish and Thomas and his wife Linda of Gorham; her daughter, Diane and husband Jody of Standish; her grandchildren, Kiirsten, Kalle, Samantha, Chet, Eric, Tommy David and Jason; her great-grandson, Austin; her brother, Clarence (Sonny) Merrill and wife Bee of Oxford; her sister, Eloise and husband Peter Collette of West Paris; two sisters-in-law, Elvi Morin of Portland and Doris Komulainen of Cape Elizabeth; one last living uncle Ralph Merrill of South Paris and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours and Celebration of Life services were held on Sunday, September 23 at the Standish Congregational Church; visiting hours will also be held on Saturday, September 29 at 1 p.m. at Chandler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 45 Main Street, South Paris. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Standish Congregational Church.