Melanie Sue Bowers

11/15/48-2/5/13

Melanie Sue “Susie” Bowers grew up in Lodi but lived in Merced for many years, passed away on February 5th in Merced of lung cancer at the age of 64.

Susie was known as a vivacious force of nature by friends and family in the Merced, Lodi and Alpine County. “A lot of people knew her as the co-owner of Herb’s Meats & Deli on Yosemite Parkway, but I think she was more famous for the Christmas light display she put up every year,” said her twin sister, Marilyn Lewis of Jackson. “Even if people didn’t know her personally, they knew the light display on Tahoe Drive in Merced would be worth visiting. Tour buses even drove by.”

She was the store manager for Degnan’s Grocery in Yosemite Valley for several years before coming to Merced, and always loved the Sierra. She spent summers at the family cabin at Blue Lakes in Alpine County, and was active in politics and serviced club in both Alpine and Merced Counties. The cabin was a popular spot for entertaining, if Susie wasn’t out fishing.

“If Susie wasn’t at Blue Lake in the summer, then she and her husband Larry were out on the Gold Wing,” said her other sister, Coralie Coleman of Stockton. “She’d write up travel journals that included a road kill count for each day.”

In Lodi schools, twin sisters Susie and Marilyn often pretended to be the other, and eventually were separated in most classes. They continued to play elaborate practical jokes on each other throughout adulthood.

“Susie was uncanny about remembering birthdays and other special occasions in people’s lives,” Marilyn said. “It made her happy to make other people feel special.”

She was preceded in death by former husband, Herb Mercer; son, Bryant Mercer; and stepson, Bruce Bowers.

Susie is survived by her husband of 23 years, Lawrence (Larry) Bowers of Merced; sisters, Marilyn Lewis and Coralie Coleman; 4 stepchildren, Julie Mercer Garcia and Amy Mercer Cook both of Atwater, Cyndi Cates of Cameron Park, and Scott Bowers of Puyallop, WA; 5 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; a niece; and a nephew.

A remembrance of her life will be held Sunday, February 23, 2013 at 2:00pm at the Elk’s Lodge, 1910 M St., Merced, CA with a second remembrance scheduled August 10th at 12:00pm at the families Blue Lakes cabin. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyress Way, Modesto, CA 95356 or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home.