Merissa Lee Haviland

Merissa unexpectantly passed away at 27 years old. Her nickname has always been Rissa by family and friends.

Rissa’s personality was truly one of a kind… She had a gift that could compared to saints in the Bible. Rissa had very special gifts to befriend nearly anyone she met, always sharing her loving and fun personality, with her only intention being to make other people feel special about themselves. With kindness Merissa stood firm on everything she believed in.

Rissa cherished: family time, art, nature, journaling, concerts, her kitties, and vacations. On Mother’s Day weekend of 2025 Rissa was content, proud of her biggest accomplishment, excited about her future, and talked about wanting to have a family and children of her own. Rissa’s true happiness was when she spending time with her family and friends and was the most important thing to her.

A poem named Footprints In The Sand was extremely special to Merissa, and led her back to her religious faith, she kept a copy of that in her home.

Throughout Merissa’s life, she survived many medical obstacles; many near death experiences; including domestic violence attempted murder in 2023. Rissa’s incredible strength and perseverance was matched with beauty and kindness.

Pink and emerald green were her favorite colors. Being the daughter of a hair stylist, Rissa knew how to design every hair color/ style she wanted to try; each so beautiful and unique. Rissa’s most loved foods were potatoes, steak, teriyaki chicken w/ pineapple, banana bread and fudge. Rissa loved all kinds of music, artist GRiZ was her very favorite.

Merissa’s death was determined to be accidental, and leaves behind Mother Kelly Haviland, sisters Brittany Brown and Kayla Haviland, nephew Vincell Haviland, nieces Verra Haviland and Charlotte Brown, and grandfather Dan Cox. She was preceded in death by her Father Shane Haviland. Merissa’s grandmother Susan Roby joined Rissa in heaven later that same day.