Laura J. Merrill

Funeral service for Laura J. Merrill, 50, of Madrid, will be held on Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 4:30pm at the O'Leary Funeral Home in Canton with Pastor Helen Beck, officiating. Laura passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2011 while at home under the care of family and Hospice of the St. Lawrence Valley.
Graveside service will be held on Monday, July 25, 2011 at 9:00am at the Madrid Cemetery, Madrid, NY.
Friends may call at the O'Leary Funeral Home, Park Street, from 1:00 to 4:00pm. Contributions Laura's memory may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of the St. Lawrence Valley.
Surviving Laura are her mother Gloria Watson of Madrid, two brothers, Bryan Watson and wife Diane and Mark Watson and wife Marsha of Madrid; a niece Megan Watson of Glen Park and a nephew Matthew Watson of Madrid and her three cats.
Laura was born March 19, 1961 in Ogdensburg, daughter of the late Basil Watson and Gloria McConnell . She graduated from Madrid-Waddington Central in 1979 and from Canton ATC in 1981. Laura worked for St. Lawrence Country as a Medicaid examiner for 23 years.
She enjoyed outdoor activities, including, horseback riding, snow shoeing, camping and cross country skiing. Laura was a member of the 4H Club and St. Lawrence Valley Horseman's Association and was secretary and member of the Madrid Planning Board.