Marilyn E. Bedard

Marilyn E. Bedard, 86, longtime resident of Merrimack, NH was carried home to heaven by the angels on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024, at the Pleasant Valley Nursing & Rehab Center in Derry, NH after a period of declining health.

Born in Flushing, Queens, NY on November 2nd, 1937, she was one of three children to the late Ernesto Mario Tarello and Gladys (Madison) Ackerman. Raised in New York City, she attended George Washington High School, and later graduated from business school.

While living in New York City she worked as a nanny, was employed at Equitable Life Insurance as an office assistant, and later as a dental assistant. After marrying, she moved to Champlain, NY and then lived abroad in Germany. She returned to New York in 1961 to begin raising her family along with her former spouse, James Bedard. After they moved to Merrimack, NH in 1971, she provided home daycare for the children of several local teachers and friends as well as her grandchildren. She loved children, especially babies, and was always so happy to be able to care for them. They were equally blessed to have her help raise them and she was lovingly referred as the best “Mare-Mare.” In the following years she became actively involved in The Reeds Ferry Women’s Club and enjoyed spending time with friends and neighbors. She later worked at Harmony Learning Center in Bedford, NH as an infant teacher before retiring in 1999. She always had a place in her heart for our veterans as her brothers, son, grandson and other family members all served in the armed forces. She would often donate and provide support to several veteran organizations.

Her favorite pastimes were traveling, going to the beach, going to the movies, and attending dances. She always aspired to become a dancer in the movies and was cast in local productions such as Best of Broadway and South Pacific. Her favorite travel destinations included Mexico, Tahiti, Hawaii, Europe and the Caribbean. Her greatest love was that of her family and she cherished the holiday gatherings, celebrations and all the laughter.

Along with her parents, Marilyn was pre-deceased by her two brothers, Richard and Robert Tarello and a grandson, Jacob Bedard. She will be forever loved and remembered by her four children, Jeannine Alwell, Marlane and her husband Eric Velthouse, Kevin Bedard and his wife Elizabeth and Brian Bedard; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren along with two nieces.

Visitation hours will be held at the Rivet Funeral Home, 425 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack on Monday, October 14th, 2024 from 4 – 6 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 16 Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack on Tuesday, October 15th at 9:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Marilyn’s memory can be made to Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Kindly visit rivetfuneralhome.com to leave an online condolence for the family.