Barbara A. Merica, Died July 26, 2018

Barbara Ann Merica

Died July 26, 2018

LAKE LEELANAU – Barbara Ann Merica, 87, died July 26, 2018, of congestive heart failure after several physical ailments were finally too much for her.  She passed away peacefully at home with her loving family at her side.

Barb was born Oct. 29, 1930 in Chicago, IL.  Her parents were Anthony E. Schleichert and Hattie (Kosiedowski) Schleichert.  On June 12, 1954 at St. Agnes Catholic Church of Chicago she married Edward Merica of Champaign, IL, who survives.

Barb met her future husband while working in the library of the Chemistry Dept. at the University of Illinois, where Ed was working as a research assistant in the Chemistry Dept.  Barb was working on a master’s degree, which she later achieved.

Following their marriage and the birth of their first child in 1955, they moved to Midland, MI.  During their nine years in Midland, four more children arrived.  At this point the young couple became owners of a fruit farm near Lake Leelanau, MI, and moved there.

Barb had done some part-time teaching in Midland at St. Bridget School.  She began to do the same in Lake Leelanau at St. Mary’s School, and also was librarian and their first guidance counselor.  In those days very few St. Mary’s graduates went on to higher education, but she introduced a program of information about scholarships and how to get them.  As a result of the efforts of Barb and a very worthy successor, now almost all the St. Mary’s graduates go to college or other forms of higher education.

She was a kind and caring “mother” to all of the students.  She treated them fairly and respected them and they respected her.

In addition, Barb found time to quilt with the St. Mary’s Quilters and supervise the parish funeral lunches and serve as scorekeeper for St. Mary’s basketball games.  She also served on the Diocesan School Board.  When the teaching nuns at St. Mary’s left, the majority of the Diocesan Board members felt that the school should be closed, but Barb vigorously defended St. Mary’s and convinced the bishop to rule that it should remain open, in spite of the opposition.  Today it still exists, bigger and better than ever.

As a Probate Court volunteer Barb provided temporary lodging for children who needed it, for a day, or two days, a week, or whatever.  The door was always open.

Barb was an enthusiastic fan of the Tigers and the Pistons and of course the athletic activities of her grandchildren.  Team sports for women were limited in the days when she was young, but in bowling, golf, or tennis, she invariably beat her female friends, and a good many of the men, including her husband.  Barb loved music and the arts, and played piano beautifully.

Barb loved her children and grand-children dearly and relished the time that she spent with them, especially at the holidays, and all of the sporting events, and many other events, too numerous to list.

Barb was especially fond of her five nephews and niece, the children of her sister, Emily, and Emily’s husband Joseph Savasky, deceased.  They are Stephen, Gregory, Mary Ann, Thomas, Michael, and Robert.

Above all, Barb was a good wife and mother.  She had a loving heart and was always there for everyone, even if simply to listen.  She is in peace in Heaven now.

Barb is survived by her loving husband of sixty-four years, Ed; a sister, Emily Savasky of Racine, WI; four children, John (Nan) Merica of Traverse City, Jeanne (Wayne) Goodfallow of Lake Leelanau, Paul E. (Margaret) Merica of Ann Arbor, and Rosanne (John) Wanamaker of Lake Leelanau; and five grandchildren, Dominic (Lexi) Merica, Gregory Merica, Kenneth Merica, Dr. Jillian Merica, and Paul E. Merica, II.

She was preceded in death by her daughters, Barbara in 1966 and Ellen in 1975; and her two brothers, Ed and Dan.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 6 with the rosary at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church of Lake Leelanau.  The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 7, also at the church, with family greeting friends one-hour prior.  Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery.  Father Bryan Medlin will serve as celebrant.

Memorials may be directed to St. Mary Development Office, PO Box 340, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653

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