Beth E. Dennis Merz
August 17, 1917 - September 6, 2013
Obituary
Beth Dennis Merz, 96, died September 6, 2013 at Wesley Nursing Home, ending a long, full life, all of it lived in the Puget Sound area.
She was preceded in death by husbands Frederick Virgil Johnston, Horton Davies Dennis, and Donald R. Merz, and by two children, Pamela Johnston and David Horton Dennis.
She leaves two children, a daughter Polly Dennis McCarthy and a son, Daniel Henry Dennis; two grandchildren, David and Alec Dennis; and members of the Merz family, Marcia Merz Case, Donald Merz Jr., Jerry Merz, and five grandchildren.
Beth was born in Tacoma and grew up there, attending Edison grade school, Lincoln high school, and Pacific Lutheran College (now Pacific Lutheran University). During her student years she held two jobs to help cover tuition, the first as an office assistant, the second as a night clerk at the Brown & Haley candy shop in the lobby of what was then Tacoma’s Winthrop Hotel. After graduation, she taught grade school in nearby Spanaway for six years.
Beth was an upbeat, positive woman who experienced both great joy and deep sorrow in her life. Her first husband was killed during World War II near Anzio Beach, Italy, leaving behind Beth and their infant daughter he had never seen.
After war’s end, she married Horton Dennis, a young soldier who survived campaigns in Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge. She lived in the Normandy Park home they built for about 50 years. Horton, an engineer, established his own business in the Seattle area with a second office in Central Washington. A private pilot he frequently flew to project sites across the Northwest. Horton was killed in an airplane crash in 1972.
Following his death, Beth enjoyed frequent trips around North America and Europe. Then in 1976 she married Donald Merz, a Boeing manager. Together, they traveled the world for about 25 years, including several trips to China where Don continued work after retirement as a consultant for The Boeing Company. Don died in 2004.
Beth had been a member of the National Early American Glass Club since 1965, and for more than half a century was an active member of St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Burien. A memorial service will be conducted for her there at 2 p.m. September 21. Gifts in her memory can be made to St. Elizabeth’s alter guild.
I met Beth at Wesley Homes as my dad Gordon Brackett has lived there since 2010. For some reason, I was drawn to her smile and sense of humor and loved talking with her. I made it a point to stop in a visit when I was there. We also shared a love of dark chocolate! I was shocked and upset to learn of her passing and I want you to know how much I will miss her. Beth and my dad were good friends as they shared a sharp mind and had lots to talk about. She was a sweetie……..
Dear Polly and Tom,
I’m sorry I never got to know Beth. What a rich life she led! I’m thinking of you and hope to see you soon.
Linda
Was sorry to learn of Beth’s passing as we have been Glass club friends for 25+ years. AS a new member many years ago I learned a great deal about American Glass from her and we shared information for many, many years.
I know that she will be missed by her many friends.