Published in the May 25, 2018 edition
MELROSE — Rhoda H. (Churchill) Schermerhorn, 90, longtime Melrose resident, died on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital.
Rhoda was born on June 21, 1927 in Troy, N.Y., the only child of Randolph P. and Hope E. (Young) Churchill. At a young age, her family moved to Melrose where she grew up. She graduated from Cushing Academy in 1945, and Mt. Ida College in 1947, receiving her associates degree. She went to work as a Lab Technician at Winchester Hospital.
While in college, Rhoda began corresponding with Warren, who was deployed in the Army. Upon his discharge, they began dating and eventually married in Syracuse, N.Y. in 1949. After the birth of their daughter, they moved back to Massachusetts, eventually settling in Melrose.
Melrose was near and dear to Rhoda. She was active at the Melrose Highlands Congregational Church for many years, as well as Melrose Theta. Rhoda enjoyed spending time with her friends at Sit-N-Knit in Melrose as she was a very talented knitter. She also enjoyed sewing and doing crafts.
Family was most important to Rhoda and she dearly loved Warren, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Rhoda looked forward to their weekend trips to Silver Lake, N.H., a family tradition that continues to this day.
Rhoda loved music and enjoyed playing big band music on her organ. An avid shopper, she was a big fan of QVC. She was always getting packages delivered to her home, and her family always joked that they were going to have a “QVC Christmas.”
Rhoda spent her last three years residing at Sunrise at Gardner Park in Peabody.
Rhoda will be deeply missed, but her spirit will live on in the memories created with her family and friends.
Rhoda is the beloved wife of the late Warren Schermerhorn with whom she shared 62 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Rhonda H. Keenom and her husband Joseph of Melrose, and Marshall W. Schermerhorn and his wife Ann of Boxford. Cherished grandmother of Hope Keenom-Doran and her husband Daniel of North Andover, Neil Keenom and his wife Jessica of Peabody, Rachel Schermerhorn of Boxford, and Eric Schermerhorn and his wife Hannah of Malden. Proud great-grandmother of Nathan Doran, Charlotte Doran, Jalen Keenom, Gabriel Schermerhorn, and the late Sage Schermerhorn.
Services will be private.
Donations in Rhoda’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701./ For online tribute or directions visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
