Merrel “Dina” Sewell was called home by her Lord on Friday, January 12, 2018 and passed peacefully in her sleep at her home in Shepherd’s Crossing, Warminster, at the age of 95.
Dina was the wife of the late William Leo Sewell who predeceased her in 2008 and now they are back together forever holding hands.
Dina was born in Woodford Green, Essex, England, the daughter of the late Emlyn Lloyd and Violet Christine (Sharpe) Williams.
Dina’s youth in England was disrupted when World War II broke out and she joined the war effort at the age of 17 serving in His Majesty’s Royal Navy primarily in Africa throughout the war. Upon her return, she joined the Naval Reserves and entered the civilian workforce. In 1950, Dina moved to Halifax then on to Toronto, Canada and was employed by the Nova Scotia Bank and also joined His Majesty’s Royal Naval Reserves part-time then moved to full time until 1954 when she married William Sewell and moved to Hatboro, Pennsylvania.
Having been baptized in the Church of Scotland during the War in Sri Lanka, at the age of 34 Dina was confirmed in 1956 at Trinity Episcopal, Buckingham and was a member for 40 years, best known for her Simnel Cake provided on Mothering Sunday, participation in the choir, leading many activities each year at the annual rummage sale and knitting and other craft projects in abundance. During that time, Dina was naturalized and very proud to become an American Citizen in 1959.
In 1994, Dina and Bill retired to Delaware near the beach which she loved and joined Christ Episcopal Church in Milford. In 2008 with Bill’s declining health, they moved back to Pennsylvania and Dina settled into Shepherd’s Crossing in Warminster and joined Church of the Advent in Hatboro.
Dina is survived by her daughters: Grace Quinones and Valerie (Michael) Carr; three granddaughters: Shannon Callahan Keating (Frank Jr.), Bonnie Callahan and Jennifer Carr as well as three great-grandchildren: Madison Callahan and Robert and Taylor Kalacinski.
In addition to her parents and husband, Dina was preceded in death by her son, William and sisters: Nolan (Maurice) Keller and Anne (John) Roberts.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Dina’s memorial service at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, February 24, at the Church of the Advent, 12 Byberry Road, Hatboro, PA 19090, where family will receive guests from 10:30 a.m., until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dina’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 480 Norristown Road ~ Suite 150, Blue Bell, PA 19422-2329 or Church of the Advent, at the address above.
