Holden, MA: Merle Anne Brandzel, 81, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, on Friday, July 18, 2025. She is survived by her husband of 45 years: Jeffrey Lee Geller; 3 sons: Noah Geller of Watertown, MA, Jesse Geller of Bend, OR, and Bram Geller and his wife Ashley of Cape Elizabeth, ME; 3 grandchildren: Maverick, Addison, and Remington; siblings: Lisa Fierce and her husband Allan of Stowe, MA, and Joel Brandzel and his wife Andrea of Arlington, VA; and several nieces and nephews.
Merle was born in New York City, daughter of the late Sol and Ruth (Cohen) Brandzel. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. Early in her career, she was a hospital social worker, and later transitioned to working on behalf of children with intellectual disabilities, in both the private and public sectors. She had a love for fine arts, beginning with black and white photography, and eventually expanding into her role as a docent at the Worcester Art Museum. Merle developed and maintained a community of close friends through her book club, synagogue, and hobbies. Merle also loved traveling with her family, her husband, and with photography groups.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025 at 3:00pm at the family home in Holden. In lieu of flowers or gifts, Merle's family encourages donations in her memory to Beaverbrook STEP of Watertown, MA (https://www.beaverbrookstep.org/donations_help.html). Nordgren Memorial Chapel at 300 Lincoln St. in Worcester is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave an online condolence message, please visit Nordgrenmemorialchapel.com.