Jan Merrill

08/12/1950 - 11/14/2011

MERRILL,
Jan

Jan passed away peacefully at home in her sleep on November 14, 2011. She was born August 12, 1950 in Twin Falls, ID to David and Veda Bjornberg. The oldest of eight children, she grew up and was raised in Idaho and California before moving to Washington in 1979. She graduated from Baldwin Park High School in 1968. After high school she went to beauty school and worked as a hair dresser, she eventually found her calling working with individuals with developmental disabilities. She continued her education at SFCC. Most recently she worked for School District 81 as a Para-educator for special needs children, where she retired in 2009. She Married James Merrill in 1989. She loved her family, her sweet puppy Tucker, enjoyed gardening, reading, watching hummingbirds, and attending her grandchildren's events. Janice was preceded in death by her husband James Merrill. She is survived by her son Brian Griffin (Christy) of Florida, and Amy Kenney (Mike) of Spokane Valley. Her parents David and Veda Bjornberg (Cheney), five grandchildren: Cameron, Kylie and Kirsten Griffin; Marissa and Nathan Kenney, four brothers: Mike Bjornberg of Seattle, Dale Bjornberg (Brenda) of Nampa, Jeff Bjornberg of Cheney, and Tom Bjornberg (Julie) of Reardan; three sisters: Mary Kay Sprague (Lang) of Coos Bay OR, Jerri Holden of Cheney, and Nancy Sagerser (Herb) of Cheney, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was an amazing daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and friend that will be dearly missed. A celebration of life memorial will be held on Saturday, November 26th at 2:00PM at the Marshall Community Church. A coffee and dessert gathering will follow the service. Donations may be made in her name to the charity of your choice.