Obituary for Cecelia B. "Cookie" Merchant
Bar Harbor
Cecelia B. “Cookie” Merchant, 73, passed peacefully from this life into the loving arms of Our Lord on October 10, 2022, at a Bangor Hospital after a long and brave journey through end stage renal disease. She was born July 10, 1949, in Bar Harbor, the daughter of Randell C. Sprague, Sr. and Irene E. (Bowers) Sprague.
Cookie graduated from Bar Harbor High School in 1967. She worked for many years in Bar Harbor as an animal caretaker at the Jackson Laboratory, and later for a private estate along the Shore Path. She also provided pedicures at a salon on Firefly Lane. Working with flowers and fresh greens was her favorite job.
Cookie was passionate about creating and embraced teaching others how to make handcrafted items with her. She excelled at knitting, crocheting, sewing, basket-making, and many other crafts. We loved to enjoy
Cookie’s delicious appetizers and meals for which she used her favorite herbs and spices which she had on hand. Gathering up her art supplies for painting was a joyful pastime Cookie favored.
Cookie’s beautiful poems were lovingly read to us. This was her final poem: “Yesterday are the shells we shed, and the best is always on ahead. The world is full of things for winning, and every end is a new beginning.”
Cookie was most well known for her strong faith and warm interest in all who crossed her path. She attended The River Church in Town Hill. She intuitively raised us up with comforting prayers and beautifully sung hymns. We treasured her wonderful storytelling, her laugh, and her infectious smile. Cookie thought children and animals were awesome! She made certain that her dear little dog Toby would be living in a good place.
Everyone learned so much from Cookie - the wonders of nature, how to celebrate our differences, and that crying is a privilege. She loved blue hydrangeas & sweetgrass, dragonflies, clove sticks & mint juleps, train rides and watching ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’. She also teased us so well. (especially her brother!) Cookie loved to say “You’re covered in GAR-ments!” or “You have AN-cestors!” Some of her favorite expressions were “What FUN!” and “You’ll always be in my heart.” Her last sweetly sung lullaby to us was, ‘You Are My Sunshine.’
Cookie cherished her family and dear friends. She was predeceased by her parents. Cookie is survived by her son Jonathan Merchant and partner Crystal Hobbs of Hancock; grandchildren Jenna Sickles and partner Brandon Archer of Newport, Anna Van Dine and husband Silas of Ellsworth, Boone Merchant and Lilly Merchant of Hancock; great-grandchildren Rylee, Alana, Audrey and Maddox Archer of Newport, Lila Van Dine of Ellsworth; sister Sandi Kearns of Franklin; brother Randy Sprague and wife Jan of Bar Harbor. Cookie had many beloved cousins; nieces and nephews Kris Kearns, James Kearns and wife Lisa, Robert Kearns, Shayla Kearns and partner Robert Moore, Amy Sundberg and husband Soren, Erin Wusterbarth and husband Andrew, Brendan Sprague, Wayne Merchant, Denice Merchant White and partner Doug Staples, Randy Merchant and wife Erica, Roberta Burgess and husband Colin, Glen Merchant, Harold Link Jr., Mary Merchant, Robin Farley Campbell and husband Brian; great-nieces Brittany and Brooke Kearns, Krystal and Jennika Kearns, Raedyn and Kalani Moore, Ava and Emma Wusterbarth; great-nephews Bob and Kyle Kearns and many more great-nieces and great-nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2pm, Nov. 12, 2022, at Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mt. Desert with Pastor Jody Patterson. Interment will be at Ledgelawn Cemetery following the service.
Those who desire may make contributions in Cookie’s memory to Island Connections, 93 Cottage Street, Suite 101, Bar Harbor, 04609.
Special thanks to her hospital staff ‘angels’ who kindly supported Cookie, and to all those loved ones who prayed, visited, called, and sent cards & flowers. These greatly cheered and comforted her. Cookie wanted all to know that “As the Lord loves you, so my heart goes.”
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
Cecelia B. “Cookie” Merchant, 73, passed peacefully from this life into the loving arms of Our Lord on October 10, 2022, at a Bangor Hospital after a long and brave journey through end stage renal disease. She was born July 10, 1949, in Bar Harbor, the daughter of Randell C. Sprague, Sr. and Irene E. (Bowers) Sprague.
Cookie graduated from Bar Harbor High School in 1967. She worked for many years in Bar Harbor as an animal caretaker at the Jackson Laboratory, and later for a private estate along the Shore Path. She also provided pedicures at a salon on Firefly Lane. Working with flowers and fresh greens was her favorite job.
Cookie was passionate about creating and embraced teaching others how to make handcrafted items with her. She excelled at knitting, crocheting, sewing, basket-making, and many other crafts. We loved to enjoy
Cookie’s delicious appetizers and meals for which she used her favorite herbs and spices which she had on hand. Gathering up her art supplies for painting was a joyful pastime Cookie favored.
Cookie’s beautiful poems were lovingly read to us. This was her final poem: “Yesterday are the shells we shed, and the best is always on ahead. The world is full of things for winning, and every end is a new beginning.”
Cookie was most well known for her strong faith and warm interest in all who crossed her path. She attended The River Church in Town Hill. She intuitively raised us up with comforting prayers and beautifully sung hymns. We treasured her wonderful storytelling, her laugh, and her infectious smile. Cookie thought children and animals were awesome! She made certain that her dear little dog Toby would be living in a good place.
Everyone learned so much from Cookie - the wonders of nature, how to celebrate our differences, and that crying is a privilege. She loved blue hydrangeas & sweetgrass, dragonflies, clove sticks & mint juleps, train rides and watching ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’. She also teased us so well. (especially her brother!) Cookie loved to say “You’re covered in GAR-ments!” or “You have AN-cestors!” Some of her favorite expressions were “What FUN!” and “You’ll always be in my heart.” Her last sweetly sung lullaby to us was, ‘You Are My Sunshine.’
Cookie cherished her family and dear friends. She was predeceased by her parents. Cookie is survived by her son Jonathan Merchant and partner Crystal Hobbs of Hancock; grandchildren Jenna Sickles and partner Brandon Archer of Newport, Anna Van Dine and husband Silas of Ellsworth, Boone Merchant and Lilly Merchant of Hancock; great-grandchildren Rylee, Alana, Audrey and Maddox Archer of Newport, Lila Van Dine of Ellsworth; sister Sandi Kearns of Franklin; brother Randy Sprague and wife Jan of Bar Harbor. Cookie had many beloved cousins; nieces and nephews Kris Kearns, James Kearns and wife Lisa, Robert Kearns, Shayla Kearns and partner Robert Moore, Amy Sundberg and husband Soren, Erin Wusterbarth and husband Andrew, Brendan Sprague, Wayne Merchant, Denice Merchant White and partner Doug Staples, Randy Merchant and wife Erica, Roberta Burgess and husband Colin, Glen Merchant, Harold Link Jr., Mary Merchant, Robin Farley Campbell and husband Brian; great-nieces Brittany and Brooke Kearns, Krystal and Jennika Kearns, Raedyn and Kalani Moore, Ava and Emma Wusterbarth; great-nephews Bob and Kyle Kearns and many more great-nieces and great-nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2pm, Nov. 12, 2022, at Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mt. Desert with Pastor Jody Patterson. Interment will be at Ledgelawn Cemetery following the service.
Those who desire may make contributions in Cookie’s memory to Island Connections, 93 Cottage Street, Suite 101, Bar Harbor, 04609.
Special thanks to her hospital staff ‘angels’ who kindly supported Cookie, and to all those loved ones who prayed, visited, called, and sent cards & flowers. These greatly cheered and comforted her. Cookie wanted all to know that “As the Lord loves you, so my heart goes.”
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com