Meryl J. (Dovner) Stone

WEST BOYLSTON/MARLBOROUGH – Meryl J. (Dovner) Stone, 71, passed away peacefully at her home in West Boylston, surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, January 2, 2026, following an illness. Born in Boston and raised in Sharon, Meryl was the daughter of the late Arthur and Sylvia (Penn) Dovner. She lived in Marlborough for 18 years before moving to West Boylston in 2021.

After graduating from Sharon High School in 1972, Meryl attended Suffolk University in Boston, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She went on to work as an account executive with Acosta in Marlborough for more than 20 years, where she was directly involved in the sales and distribution of McCormick Spices.

Meryl will be remembered for her tenacity, strong will, boisterous laughs and a fabulous sense of humor. The past five years brought her great joy as she spent winters in Cape Coral, Florida, with her husband, John, returning home each spring to be with her family. Social by nature, she enjoyed working out at Gold’s Gym in Marlborough, where she formed many meaningful friendships.

Family was central to Meryl’s life, as were her Jewish faith and traditions, which she cherished and took great joy in sharing with those she loved.

She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her husband of 22 years, John R. Stone; her three daughters, Nicole Shapiro and her husband, Georgiy, of Worcester, Jessica Giguere of West Boylston, and Mandy Shapiro of Tyngsboro; her four cherished grandchildren, Madison, Marina, Jacob, and Ella; and her beloved Chihuahua, Possum. In addition to her parents, Meryl was predeceased by her brother, Eric Dovner.

Meryl’s life will be remembered and honored at a graveside service to be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 6th, at B’nai Brith Cemetery, 55 St. John's Rd., Worcester. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, P.O. Box 5041, Boone, IA 50950-0041 (pancan.org). Funeral arrangements are in the care of Miles Funeral Home of Holden.

To share a message or offer condolences, please visit her guestbook.