The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-03-14
By BETTY BLANCHARD

Miss Emlly~Merriman who leaves
 her position at the Y.M.C.A. this
 week after almost Q quarter of Q
 century of service to thousands of
 Waterburians, said this morning:
 Tt Is with great deal of pain
 that l break my association with the
 Y. My work here has been more
 than Q job-it has been e cause and
 also a great pleasure, During the years, I've seen thousands of young girls and boys grow up into fine wo- men and men, who have taken their rightful places in life and are con- trinuting much toward making this better world"
 The pleasant, smiling woman, ap- parently much at ease with the world, also had a valedictory mess. age to say to the many boys and girls she had come to know so we'll as assistant treasurer at the "Y".
 T hope that life will give them the very best, all that they desire, and that the "" will continue to pave the way to happiness for com ing generations.
 Miss Merriman also had a sound bit of philosophy to offer to those who ind many of their ideals crash ing in these troublesome times.
 There is in human nature an in- herent sanity. Tn the fullness of time these problems will be solved, happily. But they must be ap- preached with courage and the open mind"
 Undoubtedly a broad thinking wo- man who probes to the roots of problems, Miss Merriman advocated the acceptance of new ideas and opinions as the most e1scaceous way to the making of a happy and peaceful world.
 " isn't necessary to accept all or them. But every new opinion should be weighed The so-called radical of yesterday are usually today recognized as the people who opened new roads to progress. Times are constantly changing and the trend of thought that solved the dimculties of a score of years ago, | IS not effective in the present, she | said.
 Service to Others
 keeping busy and interested in | others, Miss Merriman considers the guarantee of happiness. The hu- man being is so. constituted that he cannot be happy or contented unless he is serving an individual. the community, or 8 cause. It is the dominating motive of life-and it must be satisfied. To serve is to live. Secondly, I believe whatever a person does, he must do with his whole heart and his own soul. The naltway mark is never satisfying."
 The "" official admitted she had Iead such g busy life, many times me didn't have time to think. She 'aid she had observed during her many years of service that most of ne unhappiness in life. in all groups ma ages, sprung from the idle hind and hand.
 Her one ayocation which she lopes Will take up most of her eisure time during the coming 'ears, Miss Merriman said is music ma her violin. At one time she ap- ,esred on the concert stages throughout the state, and was member of the Waterbury Sym 'nony Orchestra. She also hopes to axe 8 wider interest in various wo- nens clubs, catch up with her read ng, and do the many other things ne found little time for in the past. MISS MeETiman said she realized nat retirement has not always been onsidered a wise course for people mo have lead an active life, but she ad reached the decision because ne felt ones life work should term- Iell." e S''s She believes she has seen the most cLlve period in the development of 1e f.M.C.A., during the 23 years ae mas been a member of the staff.
 Rapid Growth m November, 1928, when Miss lerFlman joined the "Y", 1t was .lll housed in the old building and r. James w, Eddy was general 'cretaFy. During her 23 years she { so served under Mr. Herbert { mlEh who held that position from lSs to June, iD4s, and MT, Earl 2 inBeF who became head Of the 'ganization on October of last laF.
 The "" grew "ln leaps and [ 'unds" since that time, Miss Mer- q man aNnkAaAm l.aaa..aa oH ks.. .. fl