Obituary of Melinda E. Covel

Dade City, FL and Dover-Foxcroft, ME - Melinda E. (Merrill) Covel, 77, went home to be with her Lord, Wednesday, October 9, 2019.  She was born July 18, 1942, daughter of Robert and Pauline (Parkman) Merrill.  She was a graduate of Foxcroft Academy, University of Maine at Orono and National Louis University reaching a Master’s degree.  She substituted and taught at the Dexter area schools, taught at the Little Red Schoolhouse in Dover-Foxcroft, and then at Pasco Elementary in Dade City, FL.  She enjoyed working the mainstream classroom but her true love in education was working with special education/special needs children. She won the Florida Governor’s Award for Teaching Economics three times for her work in special education.  Her face would light up to see a child master or overcome something that had long been a struggle for them.  In addition, in her teaching career she was the Varsity Girls Cross Country and Track coach.  She was also a union building representative for United School Employees of Pasco and was a charter member of the USEP - Retired. 

Melinda loved to make things with her hands - quilting, crocheting and knitting and sewing/embroidery.  She enjoyed sharing progress on her current project or projects with friends and family members.  She was the Mom knitting at every band and chorus concert. In recent years her main focus was ugly Christmas sweaters - full-sized versions to be worn or smaller versions used as ornaments.  She also loved trucks.  Each was bigger than the last until her fire engine red Chevy Silverado.  Most of all she was a friend, a confidante, an inspiration to many with her infectious smile, easy going laughter, crazy sense of humor and a sneeze that could help you locate her in any store.  And she was addicted to Farmville.  She was a member of the United Baptist Church, Dover-Foxcroft, ME and San Antonio Community Church, San Antonio, FL. 

Melinda was predeceased by her father and mother, Robert and Pauline Merrill; a daughter, Jenny Covel, and an infant son, Robert Arthur Covel.  She is survived by one brother, Timothy Merrill of Sebec Lake, ME; a daughter, Heather Covel of Bangor, ME; three sons, Sean Covel and wife, Diane, of Northford, CT, David Covel of Manchester, NH and Kris Covel and wife, Megan, of Franklin, ME; ten grandchildren, Kayla and Zachary Briggs, Ian and Erik Covel, Keaton and Abby Covel, and Paige, Keith, Jaden and Jetta Covel; three nephews, Hayden Merrill and partner, Sheila Bragg, of Bowerbank, ME,  Ross Merrill and partner, Sarah Hanson, of Dover-Foxcroft, ME and Oliver Merrill and wife, Amber, of Sebec, ME;  as well as many foster children. 

Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Saturday, October 19, 2019, at United Baptist Church, 144 East Main Street, Dover-Foxcroft, ME, with Pastor Chris Viera officiating.  Friends may call at 1 pm until the time of service.  Burial will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Dexter, ME, after the service.  There will be a time of sharing memories back at the church after the burial.  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Cancer Society, Northern New England Region, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Ste 300, Topsham, ME 04086-1240. Arrangements are in the care of Beecher and Bennett, Hamden, CT and Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft, ME.  Messages of condolences and memories may be expressed at www.laryfuneral.com.