Shirley E. Merendino

Shirley E. Merendino

Our beloved mother was born in 9/5/1918 to John & Esther Hill in Eveleth Minn. and died at home on 11/23/2012.

Shirley, who was one of 3 sisters, graduated from the U of Minn. on a full scholarship with a B.S. in Nursing/Education. She met the love of her life, K. Alvin Merendino, MD working as a charge nurse on a surgical unit. They married in 1943 and moved to Seattle to accept Dr. Merendino's professorship at The U of W School of Medicine.

She was an exceptionally talented mother and educator who had a love of cooking, gardening, and sewing but her 1st love was her music and playing the piano. Miraculously, she found time to be active in Seattle civic affairs. She organized the 1st Symphony league of Mt. Baker, the 1st Girl Scout troops in Mt. Baker and Shoreline, served for yrs. on the Seattle Opera Board, was an active member of the Women's Univ. Club, Sunset Club, Univ. Medical School wives, The Seattle Golf club, Arboretum Unit #33 , The Highlands Unit of the Children's Hospital, was a Landmark contributor of SAM, and a devoted participant of St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church.

She sat on the Visiting Nurses' Service Board continuing to fulfill her dream and life's work of wanting to contribute, support and help others. She was an avid reader and writer. After returning from the Middle East in 1986, she was inspired to write. Her poetry was published in 2011 as a loving tribute to her husband. Most recently, she was working on a novel of her extensive world travels, especially those in Saudi Arabia and Southeast Asia.

She will be remembered as a loyal friend to many, an incredible mother, a devoted wife of 68 years, who unselfishly gave her time, energy, advice, aid, and love to all who were fortunate enough to know her.

She is survived by her sisters Virginia Sedgwick and Joyce Meyers. Daughters; Cira (Charlie) Watts, Nancy (Milton) Napuunoa, Susan Mitchell, Nina Merendino-Sarich, Maria (Craig Stillwell) Merendino, 6 grandchildren; Amy Milligan, Andrew (Sarah) Watts, Biagio & Dominic Sarich, Bianca Mitchell and Blaise Napuunoa, 6 great grandchildren; Cal, Marina, Charlie, Alvin, Alice and Noel. She was pre-deceased by her husband and grandson Beau Mitchell.

Family services have been held. Remembrances can be made in memoriam to the K. Alvin and Shirley E. Merendino Endowed Professorship at the U of W established in 2002. U W Medicine, P.O. Box 358045, Seattle, WA., 98195-8045.