Leslie (Sixfin) Merwin

Leslie Sixfin Merwin, 73, of Cheshire, passed away July 27 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was the cherished wife of Theodore H. Merwin for 37 years and was blessed to have him and her children by her side throughout her last days at Midstate Hospital in Meriden.

Born in New York City on December 15, 1949, Leslie was the daughter of the late Sheldon Sixfin and Sylvia (Propper) Sixfin. She was a child prodigy who early on, discovered her passion and talent for classical piano. Leslie developed her gift at some of New York City’s most prestigious performing arts schools, including The Professional Children’s School, Mannes School of Music, and The Juilliard School. She was a Fulbright Scholarship recipient, which allowed her to travel abroad and attend the École Normale de Musique de Paris for music teachers and concert performers. Leslie brought the gift of piano music to countless students over the years including those at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY, Westover School in Middlebury, Neighborhood Music School in New Haven, Great Oak Middle School in Oxford and East Catholic High School in Manchester. She delighted concertgoers with performances at Carnegie Hall and accompanied multiple choral societies and symphony orchestras, including the Mystic River Chorale. Leslie shared her musical talent within the theater community, including TheatreWorks in New Milford, the CT Gilbert & Sullivan Society, and the Simsbury Light Opera Company. In one of her final performances, she conducted the Middlesex Hospital Vocal Chords choral group in a 9/11 tribute at the Bushnell Theatre in Hartford.

Providing music therapy in nursing home facilities inspired a dedication to senior healthcare and Leslie earned a nursing degree at Naugatuck Valley Community College in 1997. Leslie spent the latter half of her life bringing her nursing skills to seniors, eventually directing nursing services at facilities throughout Connecticut, and Burlington, VT. Her desire to help briefly brought her out of retirement to assist on the front lines at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leslie was deeply committed to her faith and the Catholic Church, through which she expanded her piano skills into mastering the organ. She provided joyous liturgical music to numerous Catholic churches across the state, including St. Mary Star of the Sea in New London, St. Vincent Ferrer Church in Naugatuck, and most recently St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Manchester where she was the Leader of Liturgy and Music. She lended her musical talents to many other faith communities in Connecticut, notably the United Church of Christ in Southbury, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Manchester, and Temple Emanu-el in Waterford.

In her spare time, Leslie created a sanctuary for animals in her family home, including many beloved dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, and an iguana, and she loved the bird feeder at her home in Cheshire. She also dearly loved spending time basking in the sun on the beach and rooting for the New York Yankees alongside her husband.

Aside from her husband Ted, Leslie leaves behind her sister Pamela Sixfin, of Nashville, TN and two predeceased siblings, Adam and Hilary Sixfin. She leaves her children; Shannon Urzua, of Portland, Elizabeth Traester and husband Eric of East Haven, Theodore R. Merwin of Manchester, and Francesca Bishop and husband Alex of Cranston, R.I.  Leslie was blessed with two grandchildren, Derek Dodge of Portland, and Elline Bishop of Cranston, R.I., who will miss “Babcia” dearly.

Calling hours will be held from 5-8 PM on Friday, August 4, at Naugatuck Valley Memorial Home, 240 North Main Street, Naugatuck, CT. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday August 5, at Saint Bartholomew Church of St. Teresa Parish, 736 Middle Turnpike E, Manchester, CT. at 11 AM. Cemetery services will be held in private by the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Appendix Cancer Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Research Foundation (ACPMP). For online condolences, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com or www.neilanfuneralhome.com. 

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