Merit Ann Carnahan

Merit Carnahan died unexpectedly on November 18, 2025 in Santa Rosa, California. Her heart simply stopped working and could not be revived. She will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her wife of many years, Norine Mugler, Norine's daughter, Tracy Stanley, Tracy's husband Patrick and their 3 boys; Merit's nephew, Bo Wolf, his wife Kat, their 2 children and 4 nieces. She was preceded in death by her brother, Frederick Wolf and her parents, Bill and Ann Carnahan.
Merit was born in New York City in 1946. At age 3 she and her parents boarded the Queen Mary for Europe. They lived there, mostly in Italy, for many years and returned to New. York City when Merit was age 11.
Merit attended New York City public schools until high school when she went to St.
Mary's Convent and School Peekskill, an Episcopalian girls' boarding school operated within a convent by nuns, where she was quite happy.
After graduating high school she attended the American University of Paris for 2 years;
then returned to New York City to work in book publishing for a couple more years.
Wanting to get a college degree, Merit left New York City for California, living with her brother Frederick and his family, in Arroyo Grande. Following her love of the Pacific Ocean, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology.
After graduation, from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, Merit earned a Psychiatric Technician license and began her career in health care. She started her work as a "Psych Tech"in San Luis Obispo at the Men's colony, then moved to Sonoma County and worked at Sonoma Developmental Center. From there she developed a desire to be a registered nurse and enrolled in the SRJC Nursing program. She became an "RN in 1980. She worked in many Santa Rosa and Bay Area hospitals. She loved nursing and was proud of her profession, excelling in many areas, including ICU, recovery work and hospital inspections.
Merit loved to travel, eat good food, read books and garden. She had a zest for life and a tender heart. She loved her cats: Fearless, Sunny, Samantha, Oscar and lastly Jack. They were her special "friends."