Name: Miller Memorial Chapel
Address: Visalia, CA

I just heard of her passing from my church service.

She was one of my Scoutmasters at Troop 302.  She was an excellent mentor.  Kind and fun, but also firm when my teen self needed it.  I'm a better man for knowing her as an adolescent.

She loved the outdoors.  As tough a hiker as they come.  She was a joy to have in camp.

She will be missed.

On April 11, 2024 at 1:20pm, Mary Helen Merriman passed away after a battle with lung cancer. She was 72 years old and is survived by many loving family members including her son, Erik Merriman, brother Kenneth Dougherty, and sisters Cathy Iseman, Peggy Ryan, and Irene Kowal, and many nieces and nephews. She was an incredibly devoted caretaker her whole life, working as an ER nurse, then nurse practitioner, as well as helping care for her son and younger sister throughout her life. She found incredible peace and fulfillment in her happy place, the mountains, and dedicated a lot of her time to tracking birds with Audubon, identifying native rare plants, and exploring the Sierras. She had a full life, but we are heartbroken by it being cut short by such a devastating illness. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held May 11, 2024 at 11AM at the River Ridge Ranch & Institute located at 37675 Balch Park Rd in Springville, CA 93265, followed by a light lunch. All who knew her and want to celebrate her are welcome. 

You may make a donation to Tulare Kings Audubon in her honor as an alternative to flowers.

Tulare County Audubon Society
P.O. Box 4402
Visalia, California  93278-4402

My sincere condolences to Erick and the friends and family who have lost such a kind and loving spirit in Mary.  She always lit up a room with her affection and enthusiasm for the natural world. It did not matter if the plant was as lowly as a dandelion or a bird as plain as a sparrow, she always treated living things such as these with awe and wonderment.  She will be greatly missed by all of us who shared her love of nature.  Thank you, Mary, for sharing your life with us.  You will live forever in your Range of Light!

Eric, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. I enjoyed working with her at Visalia Family Practice. She will be deeply missed.

Celebration of  Life

Miller Memorial Chapel

Mary Merriman

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Mary Helen Merriman

24 September, 1951 – 11 April, 2024

Miller Memorial Chapel

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