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Merilee Vassar Obituary
June 5, 1969 - July 4, 2015 ("I'm going out with a bang!")
Merrilee died from pneumonia following a 2 ½ year battle with triple-negative breast cancer.
Born June 5, 1969 in Inglewood, California (not her fault) to Hoyt W. Brewster, Jr. & Judith Thiede Brewster.
Merr married the love of her life (her words not mine, but the feeling's mutual), Rick Vassar, on August 12, 1995. In fulfillment of an apostolic blessing given to us in the Salt Lake Temple by Elder Neil A. Maxwell, Victoria chose Merrilee to be her mom and joined the family on March 28, 2002. Merr LOVED being Tootsie Bell's mom and felt the saddest about knowing she couldn't finish raising her on this side of the veil, but promised she would be her guardian angel the rest of her life.
Merr attended Cottonwood Heights Elementary, Butler Middle School, and Brighton High School, where she swam on the state championship swim team. She also spoke at her graduation services.
Merr attended Ricks College and graduated from BYU in 1996 with a degree in early childhood education. She earned a Master's Degree with Honors in 2002 from Grand Canyon University.
Part of Merrilee's life mission was to "teach Heavenly Father's little one's" and she fulfilled this at Riverside Elementary in West Jordan. She taught first & third grades and was currently the English teacher in the Spanish-English dual immersion program for third grade.
Merr served an honorable mission in the Belgium Antwerp Mission from 1990 to 1992.
Merr had a great love of the gospel of Jesus Christ and served in many positions in her ward.
She had a great talent for making friends. She was always cheerful and optimistic even during her illness. She always had a smile on her face and rolled with the punches.
Survived by husband Rick (Richard E. Vassar, Jr.), daughter Victoria Fielding Vassar, parents Hoyt W. Brewster Jr. and Judy Thiede Brewster, sisters Kimberly Carter (Russel), Hillary Young (John), brother M. Hoyt Brewster (Shelly), in-laws Rick Vassar Sr., Charlene S. Vassar, Karen Estefan and sisters Tonya Anderson (Doug), Monique Weese (Dennis), Jada Alexander (Charles), 6 nieces and 10 nephews.
Merrilee would also want me to include the Bensons, Bowdens, Roberts/Stout and Walboms families as part of our surviving family.
Preceded in death by a sister, Kristen, nephew, Charles, niece, Miranda, and mother-in-law, Dana, grandparents Hoyt W. Brewster and Naomi Smith Brewster, Robert D. Thiede and Mildred Allen Thiede, and our lovely friend, Dirk Roberts.
We are grateful for the many acts of service given to Merrilee and our family over the past 2 ½ years. Our family, friends, ward family and coworkers made all the difference in Merr's journey. There were thousands of acts of charity that enabled Merr to continue fighting until the time she said, "It's time for me to go." May heaven embrace their new angel and may those of us left behind find comfort and strength through the Love of our Savior and His Eternal Plan of Happiness!!
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 8, 2015, 11:00 a.m. at the Draper Eastridge Stake Center, 1187 E. Draper Parkway (12300 S.) A visitation will be held Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at the Draper Eastridge Stake Center from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and the day of the service from 9:40 to 10:40 a.m. Interment Mountain View Memorial Estates.
Online condolences www.cannonmortuary.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Merilee Vassar
Sponsored by Cannon Mortuary.
Shane Andersen
November 24, 2015
Rick,
I know this is so late but i only recently found out. Dawny and I have always loved you like family and have valued your guidance and direction in our marriage more then we can ever say. You are an amazing man who clearly was blessed with an even more amazing wife. While we mourn her passing we have no doubt that she is truly with heavenly father and acting as your family's guardian angel. If there is EVER ANYTHING we can do for you or your family i hope you know to call or text me regardless of the time of day or night. You are a man with unparalleled internal fortitude and a superior love for earthly life and the plan of salvation. I have no doubt that although it will be hard, you will overcome the heartbreak in Gods time and you will move forward saving marriages and life's in your practice. Stay strong brother and hold on to your faith and your family. I believe in you and will be praying for you. God Bless you and your family.
Shane and Dawny Andersen
It's not a vacation until we've had our IN-N-OUT!
August 26, 2015
Your presence and sense of humor will be greatly missed. We love you so much and thank you for all of your love and the special memories that we have shared together over the past twenty years. We will carry them with us for all of our lives to remember you when you are being greatly missed to think on the fun times and laughter we all shared together as a family. You are forever in our hearts. WE LOVE YOU!
Abby Wachterdorff
August 4, 2015
Mrs Vassar was my favorite teacher in the whole world she gave me my best year in school but I know she's in a good place now. I will miss her
Jennifer Wachterdorff
August 4, 2015
We are so saddened th hear this news. My daughter was in Mrs Vassar's 3rd grade class and absolutely loved her! She was an amazing teacher and such an inspiration and we were so blessed to have met her.
July 23, 2015
My condolences to you and your family. I am so sorry to hear of Merilee's passing. She was a great teacher and a pleasure to have worked with.
-Matt Ault
Sheila Mann
July 20, 2015
My condolences to you and your family. I talked with Merr many times and enjoyed working with her. I would watch over and take her class to the library on Wednesdays. She was an awesome woman! Sending many prayers of comfort your way :)
July 14, 2015
I've been out of state and just heard about Merr. I'm so sorry for your and Victoria's loss, really a loss for us all!!! She was an incredible woman and looking at your face book page and seeing her contagious smile makes me remember the days we shared as we both started working at Riverside. She lead out with love, organization and ideas for our budding first grade team. (We were all so new and inexperienced.) She was a pleasure to work with and I loved her sense of humor and energy. It was great to do our Masters together. She contributed so much and helped us keep going when we were ALL feeling overwhelmed. I just want you to know what a blessing it was for me to know, work and love her. May you both find comfort and peace. And may the happy moments you shared remind you of the great future that awaits you on the other side. You were her rock and life! You gave her purpose to hang on and fight and I know her love continues to grow and deepen even as this separation keeps you apart. You are in my prayers!
Annette Fasselin
Nancy Hedin
July 13, 2015
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your family is in my prayers.
biatriz rodriguez
July 10, 2015
best teacher ever
Rebecca Dulgarian
July 9, 2015
Her beautiful smile and amazing example to love life no matter what is what my family will remember most about Mrs. Vassar. We feel lucky and honored to have had two of our girls have her as their teacher and role model!We pray that you will find comfort and feel of our love and gratitude for sharing your beautiful wife and mother with us!
Stacy Bogenschutz
July 9, 2015
We are so sorry for your loss! Merilee such a beautiful young woman. We only have great memories of the Brewster Family from years ago at Butler 23rd Ward, Cottonwood Heights. Our thoughts are with you all.
Lou Nishio, Stacy Bogenschutz, Cindy Bradshaw and Tiffany Nishio
M. Jorgensen
July 8, 2015
My sons were taught by Mrs. Vassar! They both enjoyed her. I remember her well as we talked a few times. I am so sorry to hear of her illness as she struggled with breast cancer. My family is sending warm thoughts and prayers to her loved ones as they grieve her loss.
Olivia Bergstrom
July 8, 2015
I was one of mrs.vassars students last year. she is so nice and loving I will miss her so much. she is one of the nicest people you could meet in a lifetime. she would teach us really good life lessons. she was one of my favorite parts of going to school. l was so happy to see her everyday. she was my best friend. I am happy for her because she is finally out of that horrible pain. I will miss her but whenever you need her she will be there watching over us.
Mike Jarvis
July 8, 2015
Dear Hoyt and Judy,
I offer you my most sincere condolences with the passing of your lovely daughter. I wish you and her family the best. Your friend always, Mike Jarvis
July 7, 2015
Judy and Hoyt, Our love and thoughts are with you at this difficult time. May you and your family be blessed with peace and comfort. Affectionately, Lynda and John Tenney
Kristen Raymer
July 7, 2015
I remember growing up as a child with her little sister and I was so fascinated with her swimming awards and tennis games. She was always so sweet to us. My heart goes out to her family. Heaven just got a little more beautiful.
Carter Dransfield
July 7, 2015
Thanks for being a nice teacher. You always treated me with kindness.
Becky Guillory
July 7, 2015
Rick, Victoria, Hoyt, Judy & Family,
What can one say at a time like this - there are no words that can truly convey how sorry we are and how much our hearts hurt for your loss of such a wonderful young wife, mother, daughter and sister. Our prayer is that the Lord will wrap his loving arms around all of you right now, hold you tight and give you strength to get through this heartbreaking time. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers - Becky and Mike
July 7, 2015
I was blessed to have known Merrilee through her beautiful daughter Victoria and the Bowden family. Merilee and Rick are an inspiration to me. Their love and support through the passing of my sister Jo, was a gift from God. I grew to love Merrilee, Rick and Victoria through great times at Get-to-gethers, Easter egg parties ... sharing sad times and happy times. I will always remember Merillee for her warmth and friendship and example of strength. Rick and V... Please let me know if there is anything at all that I can do. Love Lou
July 7, 2015
We love Mrs. Vassar! We will miss her. Two of our children were privileged to have her as a teacher. She was an excellent educator. Our family looked up to her and appreciated great example of courage and cheerfulness. Love, The Gudgell Family
Mercedes Dahlberg
July 7, 2015
Best Teacher EVER!! I will miss her:(
Rachel Jones
July 7, 2015
I was one of her students last year and she was an awesome teacher. She helped me a lot when I didn't understand something. I will miss her very much.
July 7, 2015
Each of our 4 children were blessed to have Mrs. Vassar as their 3rd grade teacher. They will each tell you that she was their favorite teacher ever! We will be eternally grateful for the part she has played in raising our kids. She was kind, loving, sincere, fun, organized, interested and such a Christ-like person. We pray that you find an added measure of peace as you feel the love and gratitude of each of us whose life she has touched!
Love, The Nipko Family
Diane Wood
July 6, 2015
We will miss her!
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