1933 – 2019
Born September 21, 1933 in Spring Hill Portland, Jamaica to Samuel C. Maloney (Postmaster and Justice of the Peace) and Mary A. Maloney (teacher). Merle married Rudolph G. Stephenson (accountant) of Glengoffe St. Catherine, Jamaica on June 18, 1960, in London, England. They have three children: Kevin of Tulsa, Oklahoma (Chaplain and Licensed Professional Counselor); Sandra Stuppard, of Boston, Massachusetts (teacher); and Karen Stephenson-Bennett of Montclair, New Jersey (medical doctor). Merle was a Registered nurse and a certified midwife. Merle answered the call by the United Kingdom, after the devastation of WW II, and migrated to England to be trained as a nurse and /midwife. In 1969 Merle was recruited by Beth Israel hospital in Newark, New Jersey, USA. The family followed six months later and they settled in Montclair, New Jersey, where they lived for the next 30 years. Merle retired from Columbia Presbyterian Hospital New York, NY after twenty-three years of service as an emergency room nurse. She received a Bachelor of Science from Upsala College in East Orange, New Jersey.
Merle retired in 1999 and relocated with her husband Rudolph, to Port St. Lucie, Florida. It was at that time when Merle was blessed with the opportunity to pursue many interests and passions. She joined Holy Faith Episcopal Church and became a member of the floral guild and the Daughters of the King. She loved her sisters and brothers of the faith. She took particular joy in donning her dancing shoes whenever, the occasion surfaced. Rudolph and Merle traveled extensively and cherished their grandchildren. Merle joins her beloved husband, Rudolph and sisters Pauline and Lynne, in eternity. She is mourned by sisters Belle Victoria, Norma Claire and brother Orville Clive and twelve grandchildren: Jason, Kyle, Mikayla, and Kaleb Stephenson; Sekou, Tayo, Nyasa, and Nimo Stuppard; and Everton, Mansie May, Shani, and Khairi Bennett; and several nieces and nephews.
Merle is remembered for her poise, style, discipline, independence, devotion to friends and family, and love for dancing. We praise God for her example and legacy.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5