Obituary of Bernice Merrill

“Our Little Momma” Ethel Bernice Massey Merrill was born September 26, 1923, to Charlotte Ethel Nye and John Emery Massey in Anaconda, Montana. She slipped quietly away from us just a few days after her 91st birthday on October 2, 2014. Momma lost the battle with time and the complications of diabetes. She simply and without complaint stopped breathing and rushed joyously into the presence of her beloved husband of 60 years, Clinton E. Merrill, and her much missed and longed for daughters, Valjean Merrill and Jan Merrill Boykin. We feel very strongly that they want us to remind everyone that DIABETES KILLS! Hopefully someone reading this will fight this killer with a renewed commitment and help spread the word! Momma left us with sad hearts as we have suffered the loss of our father and two sisters in these last six years. She left behind her daughters, Judy Devoe (Dan), Lori Boyd (Rick) and Lonita Jorgensen (who lived with and lovingly cared for her parents for many years). Bernice was proud of her many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and her one great-great grandson. Bernice was the last of her family, including all of her first cousins. She seemed quite proud of that fact! She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints until the end, when her health did not permit her to attend. Momma seemed to know her time was short, as she dreamed often of her siblings and loved ones gone on before. We referred to them as her “heavenly messengers” and she took great comfort in these visits. We were able to take Momma to her beloved ocean, where she was able to walk on the beach. She lit up like a fire work! She loved the beach so much! She talked about this for many days after. Momma also loved that her many grandchildren and great grandchildren were able to spend time with her this summer. It meant so much to her that they would take time out of their busy lives to drop by and visit. Our little Momma was the love of our lives. She was the kind of momma who would grab you and dance you around the kitchen if the right song came on the radio and you just happened to pass by. She wasn’t much of a spanker but she would boot us in the fanny as we raced by laughing at her attempts. If you got too close to her frosting bowl, you would probably end up wearing it on your nose. She always knew if you were getting into the cookie dough, even if she was in the next room. She had an amazing sense of humor that she kept until the end when she quietly whispered “It’s finished” when questioned about how she was feeling. We knew then that she was tired and ready to go home to her Heavenly Father and begin her next great adventure. Till we meet again, Little Momma. Please honor her and bring comfort to her family by sharing thoughts, memories and stories in the Guestbook below that we may share at her memorial service. Please let us know if you prefer not to have your memories shared.