Linda Marie Merrick
10/14/1943- 10/20/2011
A memorial celebration will be held at 2pm, Thursday, October 27th at St John the Apostle Catholic Church; located at 417 Washington Street, Oregon City, OR 97045. All friends and family are welcome to attend.

Linda was an extraordinary woman, wife, mother and grandmother. She died peacefully surrounded by her family on October 20, 2011.

Linda was born on October 14, 1943 in Topeka, Kansas. She was the daughter of Clayton and Elizabeth Summers, and the eldest of six children, with two sisters and three brothers. She spent her childhood traveling around the United States--wherever her father was stationed--and she had the opportunity to live in many different places. In 1961, the family moved to Milwaukie. Linda graduated from Milwaukie High School in 1962, and she went on to attend Portland State University and Business School in Portland, OR.

In 1964, she met Richard Merrick through some close friends. They courted for a few years, and later married on January 21, 1967. They had two daughters, Lisa and Michelle.

Linda became one of the founders of the Portland Chapter of Compassion in Action/The Twilight Brigade after care-giving for her brother Michael during his battle with leukemia. She felt that no one should die alone and she wanted to help others as much as possible. To that end, she became a volunteer for Willamette Falls Hospice; was active within the Pranic Healing group in Portland, Childrens' International, and various other charitable organizations. She was a beautiful and giving spirit who was always there to help people; she had a wonderful outlook on life and was loved by all who knew her.

She later worked at Harland Financial Solutions where she was their receptionist. She greeted everyone every day with a smile even when she wasn't feeling well. She instantly made everyone her friend and made them feel welcome. She enjoyed her job and loved what she did there.

She had a great love for travel, cultural events, cooking, and entertaining; a love of all the colors of the rainbow, playing cards with friends, and spending time with family. She especially loved her grandchildren, and she dedicated several days a week to ensuring they fed the ducks, played games and went to the park. The last few years of her life were spent with family and friends, all of whom she loved with all of her heart.

Linda is survived by her husband Richard; her daughter Lisa Merrick and her husband Tom Ruhsam, and their son Sage; her daughter Michelle Cate and her husband Chris, and their children Addison and Aidan; her mother Elizabeth; and sisters Carol and Diane and brothers Steven and Daniel. She was deeply loved by all and will greatly be missed.

The family requests that Remembrance Donations be made in her name to Habitat for Humanity.



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