Merril E. Hunt
July 5, 1928 - August 20, 2007
Obituary
Merril E. Hunt
Born in Sidney, Nebraska on July 5, 1928, she died peacefully, and unexpectedly, in her sleep on August 20, 2007. She is survived by her four children, Michael Plant, Kathleen Hunt-Paez, Vicki Hunt, and Claudia O’Neill; one son-in-law, John O’Neill; two daughters-in-law, Karen Hunt and Poorly Plant; 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband Harry Denver Hunt; her son, H. David Hunt; and her grandson, Michael Wayne Thompson. A Memorial Eucharist Service/Celebration of Merril’s life will occur on Sunday, September 2nd at 2:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church, 1005 SW 152nd St., Burien, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Merril’s name can be made to Children’s Hospital or St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church. Arrangements by Bonney-Watson Parker Chapel, 900 SW 146th St. Burien.
I just heard that Merril passed away & I am so saddened by the news.
For the sorrow of her family more than by the blessed life Merril goes to now. Of all the people I have met in my life she was one of the most gracious & accepting people I have ever met. I believe she is in a better place and I hope that belief will keep her family in peace. We all loved Merril!
God Bless!!!
I was privileged to work with Merril in 1989-90 when she come to Philadelphia for the Boeing-Sikorsky Light Helicopter proposal. I can only echo the words of her Boeing colleagues: she was the best of the best, both professionally and personally. I will miss our Christmas card exchanges. My condolences to her family and friends, and my thanks to her daughter Claudia for letting me know. Claudia obviously takes after her mom – another Hunt lady of style and class.
My deepest sympathy to Merril’s family. I graduated from Everett Hi School with Merril and we were members of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority at the University of Washington. We were in the same pledge class. She was a wonderful person. I lost track of her over the years, but I have fond memories of the times we had together.
I am so sorry that I will not be able to attend her service at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church as I will be out of town. She will be truly missed by all.
I have fond memories of Merril from our college years together at the University of Washington Canterbury Club. We were part of a large group of students who met regularly and had wonderful times together. Merril was a quietly gracious and pleasant person to be with. She was a friend, along with Billie Putnam and others from this group of “model Episcopalians”. We didn’t see each other a lot after college, but occasional reunions brought us back in touch. I’m so glad that I knew Merril and I will miss her. My sincere condolences to her family and others who knew and loved her. May God keep her in His eternal presence with our Savior and all the saints.
Blessings, JoAn Kennedy Andenes
Merril was such a wonderful editor and so helpful to me when I first began with the editing group. I appreciated the sweet manner she projected at all times, even when the work day and evening sometimes became long and difficult. She guided many of the editors on countless proposals during the many years she was a senior editor. Everyone greatly respected her and the expertise she provided. I will always have the fondest memories of her.
I knew Merril at Boeing. She was my mentor and my friend. Hearing of her death was a shock, but it was quickly replaced with gratitude for having known Merril, for having her in my life. With sympathy to Merril’s family for their loss,
Jeanne M.
Several of us in the Editing group Boeing still remember Merril. She was one of our leaders, helping us learn our craft and become part of a team. Her judgments and style decisions then are the basis of many of our current practices.
We were sorry when she left us for retirement, but we understood her commitment to the needs of her family. I know they will miss her. I hope they are comforted by the faith she had and their memories of the life she shared with them.
I worked alongside Merrill for over 20 years on Boeing proposals. She was always calm and steady and a positive force in spite of long hours, constant overtime, and the unusual demands of the job. She will be missed and always remembered as one of the very best. Her legacy is an inspiration to all of us who had the privilege or working with her.
Merril was my first lead at Boeing. She taught me everything I know and have long forgotten about editing, and quite a bit about writing, too. She was always so steadfast and unflappable in the face of dynamic challenges, so supportive of her colleagues, and so untouched by pervasive company politics. She was more than an inspiration. She was the one we all wanted to emulate. She was a great person, a great human being. She will be missed.
Merril was a leader, a mentor, exempletory, kind, centered, understanding, professional, calm. She was balm to Boeing waters as I plunged inexperienced into the stark and pressed world of proposals.
She was light to so many editors and will be sorely missed.
I offer sincere condolences to her loved ones and friends. May you take courage from all she gave to so many in her life time.
I started my first day at Boeing working with Merril and subsequently worked along side her for many years. Merril was the example of the calm, considerate, and professional expert we all aspired to but never equaled. Many of us learned from her gentle critiques and professional advice during the long days and nights working on proposals where she frequently stayed late, leaving after everyone else so that she could finish her careful and dedicated work. To know her and work with her was a privilege. Someone once said of Merril that she was the soul of the editing group and I would add that she was the heart of it as well. We will all miss her.
Merril was the lead editor on several proposals I worked on when I was in the editing and writing group at Boeing. She was always calm under pressure, willing to share her knowledge, and a great example for the rest of us. Sympathies to her family and friends on her unexpected death.