Bernice Merritt

1921 - 2007

Bernice Merritt passed away in her home, early Saturday, January 27, 2007, after a long struggle with dementia. She was born December 13, 1921 in Seattle, WA, the fourth child born to Axel T. and Hattie Marie Johnson.

Bernice, a graduate of Garfield High School in Seattle, attended the University of Washington, transferring to the nurses' training program at Immanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon from which she graduated in 1945. In August 1946, she was united in marriage to Lester C. Merritt at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Seattle. Together, they built a home in the Alderwood area, living there seven years before moving to Skagit Valley.

Bernice and Les, along with their children established a dairy farm near Bay View, milking cows and raising crops for nine years. In 1962 the family moved to Kelso, where Bernice was actively involved in church, teaching Sunday School, participating in women's service organizations and Bible studies. The family returned to the farm in Bay View in the summer of 1966.

Bernice worked as a pediatric nurse at Skagit Valley Medical Center from 1966 to 1979, where she loved and cared for the children of the valley. In the early 1970's, Les and Bernice started raising apples, selling gravensteins from their garage, which Bernice hand polished with bath towels. The business grew over the years to become Merritt Apples, which continues under the management of their son Alan.

Bernice was an active member of Edison Lutheran Church, and a charter member of the Skagit Valley Symphony, playing cello with the group for twenty-five years. Her reputation for generous hospitality, love of family, classical music and abiding faith was well known within the community.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Lester C. Merrritt, at the family home; her children, Alan Merritt and wife Rose of Bow, Randy Merritt and wife Beth of Kapolei, Hawaii, Kristine Merritt and partner Barry Christensen of Bow; six grandsons, of whom Bernice was very proud, Randy Merritt II and wife Cristina of Glenhaven, Tanner Merritt of Big Lake, John Voorhees and wife Lori of Honolulu, Hawaii, Mark Voorhees of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Aaron Voorhees of Bow and Peter Voorhees of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

A special thank you to Stella Silva for her loving care and comfort of Bernice.

Her parents, two sisters, and recently her brother Calvin Johnson preceded Bernice in death.

A memorial service celebrating Bernice's life will be held this Friday, February 2, 2007 at 11:30 am, Edison Lutheran Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hulbush Funeral Home, Burlington.

Remembrances may be sent to Edison Lutheran Church, 14201 Church Road, Bow, WA 98232, or Skagit Valley Symphony, P.O. Box 1302, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.