Jennifer Jeanne (Smith) Merritt

A best friend, wife, loving mother and grandmother, passed away on 12/31/2020, in Springfield, VA, after a long and painful battle with Multiple Myeloma and a sad struggle with dementia. She was preceded in death by her parents; Roy Clifford and Eileen Priest Smith and, her brother; Geoffrey Wayne Smith. She is survived by Carl J. Merritt, her husband of 53 years, her son; Brian C. Merritt of Ocoee, FL her daughter; Hilary M. Wood of Springfield, VA, her sister, Robin Mortillo, of Greenport, NY and six grandchildren. Jennifer was born in Norwood, MA, spending her early years in Pembroke, Massachusetts, where she received her primary education. She earned a BS degree in Medical Technology from Northeastern University and a MS degree in Biology from the University of New Hampshire. In 1968, she married Carl J. Merritt, a Special Agent with Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) upon his return from Vietnam and, after a brief residency in Newport, Rhode Island, relocated with him to Camp LeJeune, North Carolina. While there she was accepted into a Phd. program in Experimental Pathology at Duke University, Durham, NC. She was in the final exam stage of her Phd. when she gave birth to Brian Merritt, her first child. With this event, she literally walked away from academia and became a full-time mother, never looking back. For the next 28 years, she, and the children, accompanied her husband Carl, on eight U.S. government relocations, including assignments in both Okinawa, Japan and, in the Philippines. Their final transfer was to Washington, DC, in 1986, making their residence in Springfield. She accepted a position as a Medical Technologist at INOVA Fairfax Hospital, where she remained until 2007. There were few crafts Jennifer was not interested in or did not try during her lifetime. While residing in Charleston, SC, prior to their transfer to Washington, she became active in leading and coaching aerobics classes and, also took up long distance running. After moving to VA, she continued running and went on to complete 8 full marathons and 18 half marathons. It was while she was training for her next marathon, in 2014, that her multiple Myeloma was discovered. She was 70 years old at the time. To honor her wishes, no services are planned. Jennifer loved animals, and dogs in particular. One of her favorite quotes was one by Will Rogers: “If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went.” Anyone wishing to honor her memory is invited to donate to their local animal shelter. Jennifer lived her life full and well and, with honor and total devotion to friends and family. She will be missed.