Mary L. Merwin
Died
May 28, 2015
NORTHPORT – Mary
L. Merwin, 69, of Northport, died peacefully on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at her
home.
Mary was born in Grand Rapids on Feb. 13, 1946
and moved north in 1977 becoming Director of Grand Traverse/Leelanau Adult
Mental Health Agency. As a professional psychologist
she worked on the front-line supporting communities with mental and physical
health challenges. She was an active
volunteer with HIV/Wellness Networks, Third Level Crisis Center, early
childhood development, Asthma Coalition and numerous other causes she embraced.
Mary was an amazing woman who travelled
extensively to remote locations in wild parts of the world on projects to
support and bond with endangered animals.
She cherished her solitude during her 38 years of living on the shores
of Lake Michigan in Leelanau County.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents,
Carl and Alberta (Sytsma) Riddering; stepmother, Kay; sister, Ruth (Ben)
Boshoven; and Sam and Andrew Coe and NanEl Legatz.
She is survived by three nephews: Jeff (Wendy)
Boshoven, Eric (Mel) Boshoven, Mark (Laura) Boshoven, and her Traverse City
family, Matthews/Coe: Jan, Nicole, Scott and Megan Blonshine, and her ‘sister
soulmates’ Marsha Crouse, AngelinaPeggy Richter, and Jan Matthews.
Per Mary’s wishes, cremation has taken place
by the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay. A service celebrating Mary’s life will take
place on the Summer Solstice, Sunday June 21, 2015 at 3 p.m. at the Traverse City
Botanical Gardens.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed
to the charity of your choice.
Please share memories with Mary’s friends and
family below:
Mary was/is a lovely gentle soul.
ReplyDeleteI started kindergarten with Mary at Oakleigh school, went all through grade school, Jr. high and high school with her and graduated from Union High school in Grand Rapids with her in 1964. I remember swimming parties at her pool when she lived across from Oakleigh school. I heard that she lived in Northport and always wanted to look her up when we traveled up there but I didn't know her married name. Rest in peace, dear old friend. Ellen Voshel Boothe - Grand Rapids, Mi.
ReplyDeleteMary and I were graduate students together at the University of Illinois during the 70's. We became friends during those years. One fond of Mary was the evening the day she passed her final oral exams. She was so happy: I have known whether her joy was due to completing her PhD or leaving Urbana-Champaign! I shall never forget her: she touched so many lives in positive ways.
ReplyDeleteI remember Mary from Oakleigh Junior High Schoo and Union High School. We both graduated in 1964. I remember having many fun times at her home while at Oakleigh and enjoyed her company at Union. We even made the Grand Rapids Press together with the annoucement of a new Union High School to be built soon. I have such pleasant memories and have been looking for her for years. Sad I found out this way. RIP Mary! Michael P. Termaat
ReplyDelete