Photo courtesy of Frye Chapel & Mortuary of Blythe - Blythe
Aug 8, 1940 - Jan 26, 2026
Merna was a dear friend to the Brownlee family and I was so sorry to hear of her passing. Sincere condolences to all her family.
Lenita Brownlee Kellstrand
March 02, 2026 | Fallbrook, CA | Friend
Condolences to Merna's family. RIP !
Sharon Covington
February 21, 2026 | Round Rock, TX | Friend
Our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families. Merna was a beautiful person with a big heart. She will be missed and may she RIP.
Dariel and Imelda Perez
February 10, 2026 | La Quinta, CA | Friend
I will always miss you my dearest fishing buddy
We had great times together love you with all my heart . My condolences to the family with all our love
Ron and sylvia James
February 09, 2026 | Beaver, UT | Friend
Our Condolences to Merna's family. We will miss her sense of humor, generosity, honesty, sincerity
and friendship.
Peppermint Patty and Greg Sprawls
Patricia Sprawls
February 08, 2026 | Cibola, AZ | Friend
I was so fortunate to have Merna’s three daughters grew up and shared there teen years spending so much time in my home with Kathy and Bernadette Melissa was the youngest and just got to tag along , she loved being with all the older girls Theresa was my sidekick she loved cooking in the kitchen with me Rachel was the oldest and the matriarch of all of them and lead by example My prayers and love I send to your family at such a hard time in your life your Mother was so proud of each of...
Jacqueline Rackley
February 01, 2026 | Alameda, CA | Friend
My condolences and prayers to Randy Passmore and the family. ❤
Anita Kelly
January 31, 2026 | San Dimas, CA | Friend
My sincere condolences to the family
Charlie &Shannon Mendez
January 31, 2026 | Blythe, CA | Neighbor
What a wonderful woman and so full of life. Just seeing her smile or hear her laughter could make one's day. What a joy to have know such a great person and I truly loved having the pleasure to have taught her daughters. Keep the Faith.
Toni Magers-Andersen
January 31, 2026 | Sun City West, AZ | Friend
Merna Orene Grasham was born on August 8, 1940, in Tucson, Arizona. She passed away peacefully on January 26, 2026, in Scottsdale, Arizona, surrounded by her loving family. Merna courageously battled Leukemia with grace and strength until her passing.
Merna had a lifelong love for the outdoors. As a child, she explored the caves around Quartzsite, Arizona, with her parents, igniting a deep appreciation for nature that she later shared with her children and grandchildren. Whether teaching them how to fish or spending time together along the rivers of Utah or in the desert in Blythe, Merna found her greatest joy in being surrounded by family and the beauty of the natural world.
After a dedicated career with the Palo Verde Unified School District as Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, Merna retired and devoted herself to her love of travel and the outdoors. She cherished time spent at her summer home in Beaver, Utah, and took many memorable trips to Alaska and New Zealand, often centered around fishing—one of her greatest passions.
Merna is survived by her five children: Randall Passmore, Ronald Passmore, Rachel Wolven-Everett, Theresa Wolven, and Milissa Wolven-Sackos. She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Christopher Passmore, and her sister, Davella McCaslin.
She also leaves behind eight cherished grandchildren: Alexandra Wolven-Cochran, Audrey Wolven-Everett, Monte Preston, Daniel Preston, Brendan Reilly, Conner Reilly, Nikki Sackos, and Theadora Sackos.
Merna’s adventurous spirit, love for her family, and appreciation for the natural world will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Services for Merna will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 11th, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Frye Chapel in Blythe. Burial will follow at Palo Verde Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital and/or Hospice of the Valley.
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