[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 184 (Wednesday, November 30, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF BETSY MERRY

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                           HON. SETH MOULTON

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 30, 2022

  Mr. MOULTON. Madam Speaker, I rise in celebration of the life of 
Betsy Merry, who passed away on May 23, 2022.
  Born in Salem, Massachusetts and raised in Peabody, Betsy was a 
lifelong resident of the North Shore and a passionate public citizen. 
After beginning her career as a special education teacher at Salem High 
School, Betsy entered residential real estate and established Merry Fox 
Realty in 2008. Merry Fox, which she ran with her longtime business 
partner Dan Fox, has since become Salem's preeminent realty office.
  As a beloved member of her community, Betsy was devoted to charitable 
organizations and civic institutions. She served as the president of 
the Salem YMCA, a trustee of the Essex Institute, and later a member of 
the Board of Overseers of the Peabody Essex Museum. She sat on the 
boards of Catholic Charities, Historic Salem, Inc., Hamilton Hall, YMCA 
of the North Shore, the Salem Partnership, and the Salem Pantry, and 
was a trustee of the Samaritan Charitable Society of Salem. Betsy was a 
keen fundraiser and was recognized for Outstanding Fundraising 
Achievement for Mass General's Caring for a Cure Boston Marathon team.
  In recognition of her extraordinary achievements, Betsy received the 
Distinguished Citizen Award from the Yankee Clipper Council of Boy 
Scouts of America and the Citizen of the Year from the City of Salem, 
and was nominated to be the Salem Chamber of Commerce's 2021 Business 
Woman of the Year. This June, she will posthumously receive the 
Commonwealth Heroine award, which honors extraordinary women from 
across Massachusetts who enrich their communities through their acts of 
service and dedication to civic life.
  Most importantly, Betsy was devoted to her family. She leaves behind 
her husband Peter Merry, son Ian Merry, and daughter Kate Walters, as 
well as three grandchildren, Peter, Rosemary, and Eve Walters. The 
North Shore community has lost a remarkable community leader, 
accomplished businesswoman, and cherished friend. Please join me in 
honoring her memory.

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