Merlyn Louise James-Melady

Our beautiful Mother slipped quietly away with family by her side in the early morning hours of Saturday, February 3, 2024 after a life so well lived. Merlyn lived from her heart. Her warmth and grace were felt by everyone who had the privilege to know her intelligence, her wonderful sense of humour, her genuine kindness and her compassionate acceptance of others. She will be forever missed by everyone who she touched along the way.

Merlyn had a lifelong passion for reading. She also kept herself informed on what’s happening in the world around her which lead to lively conversations. She loved and supported the arts, was a committed Blue Jays fan from the very first opening pitch in ‘77, and a wiz at crossword puzzles and sudoku.

Born and raised in Toronto, her summers as a child were spent playing in the warm sands of Thunder Beach on Georgian Bay. Later in life, when in Sarasota, Florida for the winters, Merlyn loved spending time with her grown children, grandchildren and extended family, as well as taking long beach walks, enjoying the lovely sunsets and the ever-changing beauty of the Botanical Gardens.

Merlyn graduated from St. Michael’s School of Nursing in 1957 and practiced before and after raising her family. She will be particularly remembered for her dedicated care at CAMH where she worked for many years providing heartfelt care and Merlyn’s special wisdom to mental health patients from all walks of life.

Merlyn was predeceased by her first husband Peter James, husband Jack Melady, her beloved daughter Theresa, and her parents Helen and Horace Bolger. She will be forever remembered in love as little sister to Helen Anne, a loving Mother to Maureen Doherty (Patrick), Michael James (Laurel) and Joseph James (Urszula); Grandmother to Matthew, Lukas, Austin, Sophia and Jakub, Logan and Morgan, as well as Aunt to the James family and the McNally’s; David (Sue), Kathy, Terri and Sandra (Robert). Merlyn will be fondly remembered by her grand nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to thank her loyal friend and neighbour David, the doctors and exceptional nurses and staff at Princess Margaret Hospital and her home care workers (PSW’s). And a special thank you to the James, Melady and Doherty families for their constant love and support.

Celebration of life and funeral mass will be held Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 2:00pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 520 Sherbourne St, Toronto, with a gathering to follow.

For those who cannot join us in person, you can tune in here, via this live YouTube link:

https://www.youtube.com/live/YgUYA60hIeQ?si=9skYutquCy56zxHz