Merle R. Hamilton

Merle R. Hamilton 98. Passed away peacefully Tuesday September 22, 2026, at Willow Point Comfort Care Unit.

Merle was born December 10, 1927, in Richmond Virginia.

Merle graduated from Richmond Professional Institute in Fashion Illustration and Fashion Design. She met Fitzhugh Leigh Hamilton Jr at a movie theater where she sold War Bonds and he was an Usher. They married on June 18 1950 and living a life together celebrating their love of Classic Films and Swing Jazz Music, participating in local Cotillion Dances. Upon Leigh’s retirement they enjoyed traveling the country in their RV and cruising the oceans on Royal Caribbean – many times taking their grandsons along on their adventures. Their most cherished trip was taking their grandsons on a cruise to Alaska. In 1998 upon Leigh’s passing, grandson Jesse became her travel companion so her joyful adventures continued for many years. For the last 2 years Every Friday with her son Gregory and daughter Debra, Merle’s joyful journey continued to various ice cream shoppes for her favorite Hot Fudge Sundae or explore a new flavor.

Merle is predeceased by her husband Fitzhugh Leigh Jr and her parents Grover and Lila Rhodes,

Merle is survived by her children Gregory Hamilton and Debra Hamilton, her grandchildren Timothy (Holly) Hamilton and Jesse (Sarah) Patrick, great grandchildren Kaleigh Hamilton, Lexie Hamilton and AJ Patrick, also her brother Ronald (Sara) Rhodes in Virginia as well as nieces and nephews.

Merle was known for her delicious baking treats, creative birthday cakes and especially during the Christmas Holiday, her 20+ different holiday cookies and her cherished family favorite Christmas morning Candy Cane and Christmas Tree cinnamon bun coffeecakes.

Merle was also an active member of Vestal United Methodist Church in Vestal NY. Merle was active with the Mother Daughter Banquets table decorations, the Annual Bazaars and Interest Group which began with creating items for the annual bazaars and transition to making quilts for hospitalized infants, children and Veterans. She was also known for her beautiful quilts, as bed coverings, wall hangers, pillows and ornaments. She was an active member of Common Threads Quilters Guild in Vestal.

Over the years Merle continued with her love of the arts using her degree to design and sew her own fashion and passing that knowledge onto her daughter. Numerous oil paintings she created decorate her home as well as all the fabulous crafts she created and shared with family and friends,

The family wishes to thank the staffs at The Homestead, Brookdale/Castle Gardens Keepsake Unit, UHS Palliative Care and Willow Point Comfort Care Unit for the kind care of our mother.

Funeral Services for Merle will be held on Tuesday, September 29th at 1 pm at Vestal United Methodist Church, 328 Main Street Vestal NY. The family will receive friends at Church from 12 pm until Service time at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Merle’s name to The Interest Group at Vestal United Methodist Church.