Hilda Marie Wathen Merritts, 87, of Leonardtown, MD died April 27, 2008 at St. Mary's Nursing Center, Leonardtown, MD.

Born April 23, 1921 in Leonardtown, MD, she was the daughter of the late Parran Wathen and Estelle (Essie) Payne Wathen of Compton.

She graduated from St. Mary's Academy and attended St. Mary's Seminary in St. Mary's City, MD. Until her mid thirties, she lived in Compton, MD. During that time she was the owner of one of the first children's clothing stores in Leonardtown and Lexington Park, MD. She was also a writer for the Enterprise. She enjoyed her sailboat, playing bridge, and her blue Chevy convertible.

After her marriage, she left the area and spent several years in Newfoundland with her family. Eventually, she settled in Temple Hills, MD from 1961 until 1999. Having always loved antiques, she operated Hilda's Antiques Store in Northern Virginia for many years. She was very honored when she was named the fund raising chairman of Southern Maryland for the National Symphony.

In 1998 she returned to St. Mary's County to reside at Cedar Lane Apartments for the Elderly. She was a very social person and enjoyed the atmosphere of friendship at Cedar Lane and catching up with her friends in the area from her youth. She has resided at St. Mary's Nursing Center since 2000.

Hilda is survived by her son, Michael Merritts of Temple Hills, MD, daughter Elizabeth Marvin and her husband Patrick of Lacombe, LA, grandchildren Lisa Berkman and Nicholas Berkman of Lacombe, LA, great granddaughter Ashtyn Berkman, brother Francis "T-Mar" Wathen of Compton, MD, sister in law, Jeanne Wathen, and step sister Rosemary Abell, nieces Beverly Guy and Andrea Buckingham, and nephew Pete Wathen.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers James Randolph "Spriggy" Wathen, Thomas A. Wathen, J. Franklin Wathen, and McGuire Wathen.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD. Prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Francis Xavier Church, Compton, MD. Reverend John Mattingly will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Joseph C. Guy, Pete Wathen, Bill Hicks, Nick Buckingham, Bill Gardiner and Patrick Marvin.

Contributions may be made to the Friends of Cedar Lane, 22680 Cedar Lane Court, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield Funeral Home.