Alice Ruth Brant Merrill Blackman passed Aug. 19, 2026. She was born April 12, 1925 in Hamden, New York, the daughter of Ralph and Edith (Hamilton) Brant. She married Howard B. Merrill Feb. 17, 1943 who predeceased her in March of 1982. She married Vanley Blackman in January of 2002 who also predeceased her as did her brother, Earl Brant.
Alice graduated from Delaware Academy High School in 1941. She and Howard owned and operated a large dairy farm on Chambers Hollow which remained in the family for many years. She assisted Howard with his Eastern Milk Producer’s activities. As a dairy farmer’s wife and partner, she coached her kids as a 4-H leader, volunteered at school activities, and was a Dairy Princess chaperone during most of the 1960 and 70s. She was the chairperson of the town bicentennial in 1976 for the U.S. celebration. In September of 2005, Alice was named Senior Citizen of Year and was a lifelong community volunteer. As a member of the Hamden Presbyterian Church, she taught Sunday School, lead Bible studies, organized Bible school and harvest dinners. There she was also the first woman elder. Alice was active in Senior Club activities, holding offices and a lengthy term on the Senior Council. She is a steadfast source of local history. One highlight was the discovery that Hamden had the first baseball game in Delaware County. In 2017, she helped organize a committee to place flags in Delancey and Hamden signifying the importance of Hamden in the history of Hamden where the first baseball game was played on Crawford Field. She was honored as the Grand Marshall of the Bicentennial Parade in July, 2025. Most dear to her was the time spent with family and friends. She will be remembered for her smile and abundant enthusiasm.
Alice had 4 children and is survived by her daughters Kathleen Teehan (Robert), Linda Yardas, and Jean Busch (Chuck).
Her son, Duane Merrill, predeceased her.
She is also survived by her daughter-in-law Peg Merrill, sister-in-law Dawn Merrill, and four grandchildren: Tracey (Jim) Klein, Janet Merrill, Lori Merrill (Frank Samuelson), Michael Merrill (Angela Frank), and eight great-grandchildren. Alice is also survived by her stepdaughter-in-law Ginny Blackman, stepson-in-law Dick Blackman, and four step-grandchildren and eight step-great-grandchildren.
A service will be held for Alice at the Hamden Presbyterian Church Friday, Aug. 28, at 1 p.m. with Karen Marshfield officiating. The family invites the community to join them for a reception at the Hamden Town Hall from 2-4 p.m. following the service. Alice will be buried in the Hamden Cemetery at the family’s convenience.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hamden Presbyterian Church or left in the Church Blessing Box with food items there.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Courtney Funeral Home, 25 Townsend Street, Walton.
