Hartland, Maine - Vanessa Robin (Moran) Merrill, 68, passed away at Maine Veterans' Home in Augusta on March 29, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Middletown, Connecticut, to Joan Richardson and Richard Moran Sr. She was one of Joan and her beloved husband, Roland Richardson Sr.'s, five daughters and two sons. She was incredibly talented, creative and quickly learned the skills she needed for many of the projects she took on.

She met her husband, Gary, in high school, and they were married for 34 years until his passing in 2008. They lived in Deep River, Connecticut, for several years before moving to Maine. They settled in Hartland, where they built (and remodeled) a beautiful home together and raised their three daughters. She supported her family first as a CNA and then worked at the Vic Firth factory in Newport for 25 years. In addition, she earned a degree in medical coding from Beal College while working full time. Vanessa was a skilled gardener and took great pride in her flower beds. She also owned several properties over the years in Central Maine that she remodeled and rented out. Vanessa greatly enjoyed finding a deal and relished hunting through yard sales and antique stores for hidden gems that she could re-sell.

In addition to her husband, Gary, she was predeceased by her parents, Joan and Roland Richardson; her brother, Richard Moran Jr; her nephew, Matthew Moran; and Gary's parents, Clayton and Anna Merrill. She is survived by her three children, Tiffany Dodge and her husband, Ricky, Rhonda Merrill and her partner, Dick Lawler, and Melanie Isabelle and her husband, Stephan; three grandchildren, Erik Isabelle, Shayna Isabelle, and Garrett Lawler; her beloved companion, Steve McNichol, and his family; her siblings, Richyl Robinson, Louann Fugett, Ramona Boucher, Barbara Turner, and Roland Richardson; and her sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Mike McCann.

Vanessa received excellent and compassionate care from the staff at the Maine Veterans' Home. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff at the home for their respectful and empathetic service to Vanessa and her family in the last months of her battle with cancer.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to its activities Fund by sending checks to Maine Veterans Home, Attn: Activities Fund, 35 Heroes Way, Augusta, ME 04330. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2024, at Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, 191 Hartland Ave., in Pittsfield. A celebration of Vanessa's life will follow at the Elks Lodge on Middle Street in Pittsfield. All are welcome. A private committal will be held by the family. Care has been provided by Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home and Cremation Services. To leave a message of kindness or to share a memory, please visit shoreynichols.com.