Denise A. Merrill

Denise Merrill, age 38, a life-long Malden resident, died peacefully in her home on October 19, 2000 surrounded by family and friends after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Denise is survived by her loving family; parents, Diana and Thomas K. Merrill, of Malden; brother, Thomas K. Merrill of New Hampshire; sister, Andrea Merrill of North Reading; nephew, Jimmy Merrill, niece, Mykala Merrill and godchildren, Robert LaMattina, Kevin Merrill and Robert Wagner; special cousins Mary Cain and Gail O’Shea; favorite aunts Barbara LaMattina and Joan Jones, as well as many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Denise also leaves behind beloved companion, Joe Perna and cherished friend, Jo-Ann Lee Geer.

Denise graduated from Malden High School in 1982 and Bay State College in. Ms. Merrill had been employed at Palmer & Dodge, and later at genzyme in Cambridge. With a diversity of interests, Denise had been active with the United States Tennis Association and was a member of the Boston Harley Owner’s Group.

Diagnosed with breast cancer at age 30, Denise devoted much of her remaining eight years to cancer education, fundraising and advocacy. Among her contributions was a lively Bachelor Auction for the Starlight Foundation.

For the past several years, Denise played a significant volunteer leadership role with the American Cancer Society in Massachusetts. As a spokesperson for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, an Honorary Chair of the Malden Relay For Life, and an advocate for cancer control legislation, Denise touched the lives of thousands of individuals and became a well-known symbol of cancer survivorship.

She was recently named as the first recipient of the Community Leadership Award for Regional Advocacy from the American Cancer Society, which will be awarded posthumously at the John F. Kennedy Library on November 8, 2000. Her courage, compassion, and laughter will be remembered by those whose lives she touched.

Donald Gudaitis, Chief Executive Officer of the American Cancer Society’s New England Division, said, “At a very young age, Denise personified courage and grace in the face of great personal challenges. Her boundless energy and determination inspired her community, her co-workers, and thousands of American Cancer Society volunteers in the fight against cancer.”

Visiting hours are between 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at the Weir MacCuish Funeral Home on 144 Salem Street in Malden on Sunday, October 22. Unique flowers for a unique lady are welcome. Funeral from Weir MacCuish at 8:45 a.m. on Monday, October 23 to be followed by a 10:00 mass at St. Patrick’s Church on 71 Central Street in Stoneham, Massachusetts

Contributions to support a permanent memorial in Denise’s honor may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.