ROCKLAND — Mary Lee Sutton Merrill, 100, of Breakwater Commons, Rockland, Maine, died on Friday morning, September 11, 2026. Born on December 6, 1925 in Wilmington, Delaware she was a daughter of the late Claude and Sue (Savage) Sutton, Sr., former president of the American Vulcanized Fibre Company in Wilmington, Delaware.

Mary Lee was a graduate of the Pierre S. duPont High School, Wilmington, Delaware a member of the Class of 1944 during World War II. Many classmates served in various services during the conflict. She was chairman of several class reunions, she enjoyed getting people together in her lifetime.

She attended Thompson's Business School in Wilmington and was employed by the E.l. duPont de Nemours and Company in their Electrochemical Department as an Executive Secretary, 1950-1952.

She loved history, genealogy, books and travel. In 1982 she founded a genealogical family society for descendants of the Pilgrim Edward Doty. Presently there are 4,000 members in the U.S. and worldwide. In 1992 another family genealogical society was founded in Friendship, Maine for descendants of Pilgrim Edward and Mrs Fuller. There are 200 members in the U.S. and worldwide. Both societies are fully approved by the General Society Of Mayflower Descendants and give genealogical help which is free. Other Fuller's are Dr. Samuel Fuller, Reverend Samuel Fuller and young Samuel Fuller, son of Mr. & Mrs. Edward Fuller.

A 50 plus year member of the Delaware Society of Mayflower descendants she served as their Counselor 1986-1988 and a member for more than 40 years of the Maine Society of Mayflower Descendants. On October 4, 1992 Mary Lee traveled to Southampton, England to dedicate the final commemorative plaque, for Edward Doty, on the Pilgrim Father's Memorial to honor the Pilgrims. Notables were also present including the Historian General of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and the Mayor of Southampton, followed by a lunch at the Duke of Wellington Pub built in the year 1200.

She was a member of Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America (DFPA) Pemaquid Chapter; Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Boothbay, Maine; and The Society of Mayflower Descendants in Maine. Other associations included the Waldoboro Women's Club, served as chairperson of Public Relations and Membership for many years, and the Mid-Coast Chapter of the League of Women Voters.

In 1952 she joined the Volunteers for Eisenhower in Delaware and attended the Republican Convention in Chicago. She attended the Inaugural Parade and Inaugural Ball in 1953, President of the United Methodist Women of the former Waldoboro United Methodist Church in Waldoboro, Maine. Locally she volunteered for Daffodil Days, Friendship Day, Waldoboro Day and at “Montpelier”, The General Henry Knox Museum and served on their Board of trustees in 2004.

In 2022 Mary Lee was honored for being the oldest resident of Warren, Maine at 96 years, receiving the Boston Post Cane.

During the pandemic beginning in 2020 she worked to do something positive, writing "My Story" of her lifetime, which included 170 pages of text and photos.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alan D. Merrill of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania; her sons, Douglas Warren Merrill and Stephen Andrew Merrill; siblings, Suzanne Scott, Carol Hanesmann and Claude Sutton, Jr.

Mary Lee is survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Edge Merrill; nieces, nephews, Warren cousins and Krebs cousins.

At Mary Lee’s request, services will be held at the convenience of her family. Interment will be next to her husband in the Clover Leaf Memorial Park, Woodbridge, New Jersey.

Should friends so desire, donations may be made in her memory to the Scholarship Fund of the Waldoboro Women’s Club, ℅ Charlotte Gulezian, 474 Back Cove Road, Waldoboro, ME 04572.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543.  Condolences, and messages for her family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.