Joan Culver Merriken

Joan Culver Merriken, age 86, passed away quietly on Monday, January 25, 2016, at Calvert Manor Healthcare Center in Rising Sun, MD. She was the daughter of the late Dallas and Virginia Culver of Seaford, DE. Her daughter, Susan Merriken Haggerty (George) of Elkton, MD, and her granddaughter, Allison Elizabeth Davis of Baltimore, MD, survive. Her grandson, Brendan Christopher Davis, predeceased her. Joan was born November 19, 1929, in Philadelphia, PA. She graduated from Goucher College in 1951 and received her Masters of Arts from Washington College in 1977. Joan began her teaching career in Lincoln, DE, and, after moving to Chestertown, continued to teach at Chestertown Elementary School. In 1967, Joan joined a group of community members seeking to create an independent school dedicated to educational excellence. This effort resulted in the establishment of Kent School and when the school opened in 1968, she was named Headmistress. In 1995, after twenty-eight years as the founding Headmistress of Kent School, Joan retired. Under her guidance, the school grew from a Kindergarten to seventh grade school of 79 students to a pre-K to eighth grade school of 198 students. After her retirement, Joan continued her involvement with Kent School as a member, emeritus of the Board of Trustees. She also served on the Advisory Committee of Kent School's acclaimed Kudner Leyon Visiting Writers Program. In 2010, Joan was honored by Kent School and presented the Navigator Award "in special recognition of an individual who has given gifts of time, talent or treasure and made a difference in the educational life of a broad spectrum of Kent School students over a sustained period of time." In 2011, Kent School named Joan as an "Overseer," making her a member of a distinguished group recognized for their special commitment to Kent School. Joan wrote, "Perhaps the most rewarding part of my job is watching the intellectual, moral, and personal growth of every Kent School student. I am always proud of their academic success, but seeing what fine young people they become pleases me even more." In 2014, the Board of Trustees named the main building at Kent School the Joan C. Merriken Administrative Building in her honor. In 1996, Joan became a founding member of the Board of Trustees for Radcliffe Creek School and served on that board for 15 years. She also served as president of the Radcliffe Creek School Board of Trustees. She was involved in bringing the New Canaan, CT, Horizons enrichment program to Kent School and to Kent County in 1995. She continued to be involved with the program, which moved to Radcliffe Creek School in 2009, throughout her life. She was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church where she served as Senior Warden. In 2007, Joan was awarded the Inspiring Women Award as a woman "who conducts her life in a purposeful way, without flourish or fanfare, yet is seen as an example, an inspiration, by those whose lives she touches. One of the ordinary women in our community who do extraordinary things." Joan was an avid reader, enjoyed traveling, and loved spending her summers at Rehoboth Beach. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 29, from 5-7 p.m. at the Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Rd., Chestertown, MD. A Service in Celebration of, and Thanksgiving for, the Life of Joan will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Cross St., Chestertown, MD, on Saturday, January 30 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Joan C Merriken Scholarship Fund, Kent School, 6788 Wilkins Lane, Chestertown, MD 21620 or the Margaret Metcalfe Brogan Scholarship Fund, Radcliffe Creek School, 201 Talbot Blvd., Chestertown, MD 21620.

Joan Culver Merriken

November 19, 1929 - January 25, 2016