Mary Mcmerrick

Mary D. McMerrick passed away March 12, 2018 at the age of 91 at Brendan House in Kalispell, MT. Mary was born to Herman and Nellie Marie Dillman on January 11, 1927, in Evansville, IN.

In the fall of 1946, 19-year-old Mary visited Mammoth Caves, KY.  There she met James Radford McMerrick was also visiting Mammoth Caves.  Following their cave tour, Mary and James exchanged information and six weeks later the two were wed on November 23, 1946.  Immediately following their wedding, Mary and Jay boarded a train and headed to California to begin what would become a 64-year journey of love, friendship and support.

Jay and Mary welcomed their precious baby boy, Michael Allen, into the world in October 1947.  In 1948, Jay contracted polio. In 1952, Mary and Jay were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Patricia Ann.

Mary was passionate about creating a loving, nurturing and gracious home.  She loved cooking, baking, decorating for the holidays, crafting and collecting (teacups, Holly Hobby, angels, mangers, bears, dolls, dollhouses and Jay’s multitude of handcrafted wooden treasures).

Mary was perhaps one of the “punniest” people around—she loved word play and making silly jokes and quips. In addition to being “punny” she was very sweet. She also enjoyed writing poetry and songs.

In August 2005, Mary and Jay moved from California to Montana. They lived together at Prestige Assisted Living until Jay suffered from a stroke in January 2006 and moved to Immanuel Lutheran--this was the first they were separated in 60 years.  Jay passed away in 2011. After suffering a broken hip in 2013, Mary moved to Brendan House. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the wonderfully dedicated staff at Brendan House who took care of Mary with such compassion and love.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Jay, son Michael and great grandson Carter Jay.

She is survived by her daughter Patti and son-in-law Mike Mason of Kila, MT, grandchildren Marty (Nelva) McMerrick of Clinton, UT, Stacy (Justin) Miller of West Haven, UT, Michael Jay (Heather) McMerrick of Clearfield, UT, Erin (Kirk) Mason Grobb of Kalispell, MT and Renee (Gary) Mason-Stephens of Bozeman, MT and 12 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Services were held at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home on Friday, March 16th.  Internment followed at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.