Karen M. Merrick, 44

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Karen M. Merrick, 44, of 1422 Massachusetts Ave., died Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in North Adams on June 19, 1968, daughter of Arthur Garvie of Cheshire and Joan Beebe Garvie Harrington of Savoy, she graduated from Hoosac Valley High School in 1987.

A Navy veteran, she served from 1987-1991.

Mrs. Merrick worked for Crane & Co. in North Adams, and was an order processor at the time of her death.

She was a member of the Adams Elks Lodge 1335 and participated in the Mount Greylock girl's bowling league.

Besides her mother and her husband, James, and her father and his wife, Holly, she leaves her husband, Douglas A. Merrick, whom she married on Aug. 18, 2007, in North Adams; a daughter, Alysha Orvis of North Adams; four brothers, Arthur Garvie Jr. of Texas, Stephen Garvie of North Adams, Michael Garvie of Adams and Shaun Garvie of Cheshire; two sisters, Sandra Raymond and her husband, John, of North Adams and Cheryl Garvie of Cheshire, and several nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL NOTICE — A Celebration of Mrs. Merrick's life will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. at Flynn Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday evening from 4 to 7 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Elks National Veterans Service through the funeral home.