Carolyn E. Merritt

Carolyn E. Merritt

Dundee: Carolyn E. Merritt, age 83, of Dundee, NY passed away Saturday April 18, 2026 in the comfort of her home with family at her side.

Honoring her wishes there will be no calling hours, and services will be held at the convenience of the family at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dundee Fire Company 12 Union St. Dundee, NY 14837.

Carolyn was born April 27, 1942 in town of Torrey, NY, the daughter of the late George E. and Esther May (Cole) Jayne. She graduated from Dundee Central School in 1960. On August 5 of that same year, she married her high school sweetheart Stewart F. Merritt Jr. who passed away on January 1, 2023. A lifelong resident of Yates County; she was a Dairy Supervisor for D.H.I. (Dairy Herd Improvement) of Ithaca, N.Y. testing milk of every cow once a month throughout Yates, Schuyler, Steuben, Ontario, and Tioga Counties for 25 years; all the while being a farm wife, and raising her family. She retired in 2002.

Mrs. Merritt was a member of the former Starkey Methodist Church, 4H, Farm Bureau; and served on the Town of Barrington Planning Board in her younger years, when she also enjoyed pheasant, and rabbit hunting; going to yard sales, and flea markets, horse races, and anything to do with horses.

She is survived by four children James M. Merritt of Lakeland, FL; Robin (Richard) Slaby of Little Sioux, IA, Judith L. (Joseph) Woodruff of Penn Yan, NY, and Stewart H. Merritt III with whom she made her home; 6 grandchildren James Merritt of San Francisco, CA, Jordan Merritt of Mount Joy, PA, Morgan (Carson) Beasley of Easton, MD, Daniel Morehouse of Dubai, Joshua Woodruff of Penn Yan, and Justin (Samantha) Woodruff of Rushville, NY; 14 great grandchildren Lucas, James, Oliver, & Doris Beasley of Easton, MD, Malory &Brent Morehouse of KY, Maksim & Laikyn Woodruff of Penn Yan, Jayden & Austin Mincer, Landon, Paislee, Nolan, & Hudson Woodruff all of Rushville, NY; and countless nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by 5 sisters, and 4 brothers.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Jaime McCormick, for her loving care and compassion as Carolyn’s personal “Mother Hen” caregiver right to the end.

Arrangements entrusted to the Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water Street, Dundee Online condolences can be sent by visiting www.bairdfuneralhomedundee.com.