Merrilee Evans Eirish
December 23, 1949 - May 19, 2005
Obituary
Merrilee E. Granlund Boyce Eirish
Merrilee was born on December 23, 1949, in Tacoma, Washington, and died on May 19, 2005, in University Place, Washington, at the age of 55 years. A lifelong resident of University Place, Merrilee graduated from Curtis High School in 1968. An active lifelong member of the Girl Scouts of America, she led many troops, and was a Grand Officer in the Rainbow Order. Merrilee worked for IBM in Seattle, was a secretary and computer teacher at Chambers Elementary School in University Place, the Youth & Family Ministries Director at Mount Cross Lutheran Church in University Place, and the Junior and Senior High Youth Director at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Olympia. Merrilee’s life represented the hands, feet and heart of Christ, sowing seeds of love and acceptance to any and all. Celebrating in Heaven with those who preceded her are her father, David P. Granlund, her brother, Timothy Granlund, and her husband, James R. Boyce. She is survived by her husband of 5 years, Wayne E. Eirish, her daughter, Carolyn J. Boyce, her granddaughter, Ashlee Boyce, and her mother, Betty J. Granlund, all of University Place, WA; two brothers, Richard Granlund, of Lacey, WA, and Jeffery Granlund, of Vaughn, WA; her niece and nephew, Jennifer and William Granlund, both of Tacoma, WA; and her sisters-in-law, Joan Granlund, Linda Boyce, Valerie Granlund, and Kerry Granlund. Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, May 24th at 6:00 PM at Mount Cross Lutheran Church in University Place, WA, and Thursday, May 26th at 6:00 PM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Olympia, WA. Memorials to the Girl Scouts of America Pacific Peaks Council, 1000 Davis Pl., Dupont, WA. Arrangements entrusted to Bonney-Watson Funeral Home, 1535 SW Dash Point Rd., Federal Way 253 839-7317. Please sign her online memorial at www.bonneywatson.
My God Bless and take care of you dear Merrilee. The Rapp Family
You are in my prayers. She was a warm and wonderful human being who always gave of herself. She brought a smile to those she worked with at Festival of Trees
My heart goes out to the family & friends of Merrilee. I have known the Granlund family for many years.You are all in my thoughts & in my prayers. Anytime I saw Merrilee she always had a beautiful smile on her face.She was a wonderful caring person & I feel fortunate to have known her. God Bless You.
I was so shocked to read Merrilee’s memorial in the paper this morning. I am so sorry to hear this news. All my love to you and family.
Martha Hocutt
I am saddened to hear of the loss of Merrilee, not to mention shocked. Wayne, I met you a couple of times in the past. Bob and I knew Merrilee and Jim through Tacoma General ER. I was a nurse there and my husband is with the Tacoma Fire Dept. The ER dept always had a special spot in our hearts for her and Jim and all their struggles with his illness. We are unable to attend the funeral, but wanted you, Carolyn and Ashlee to know you are in our hearts and prayers as is Merrilee. Gosh we are just shocked! We had no idea she was ill. God Bless you all and Merrilee of course. With deep saddness, God bless you all. Bob and Lori Hilderbrand
Dear Betty,
Our deepest sympathy to you and family in the loss of Merrilee. We could not have been more surprised over her loss. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the family, and you, Lois, for being such a good friend to Merrilee.
I have known Merrilee about 11 years, from volunteering and working with the Girl Scouts.
Merrilee always had a smile on her face no matter what she was going thru.
She was so proud of Carolyn and her grandaughter Ashlee. And so excited to start up a Daisy Girl Scout troop and then move to Brownies with the girls, she always had a twinkle in her eyes when I would see her and always talked about Ashlee.
Merrilee will truly be missed! She is definately an Angel.
Carm Nielsen
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time of great loss.
Mel & I both knew Merrilee through University Place School District. Mel had been one of her teachers at Curtis High School and I worked with her in the Computer Tech department.
Merrilee was a wonderful person. She always wore a smile and made you just feel good to be around her. How truly blessed we were to have had her in our lives.
Kathy & Mel Jangard
So sad to see this morning that one of my schoolmates, Merrilee had passed away. My sincerest sympathy to the family. You are in my prayers.
Luana Ellis Engle–Class of ’68
It’s Merrilee’s turn to relax and watch the seeds she planted grow. Without a doubt – she lived to do God’s work. Always a kind word – or sometimes the “right” word. She will be in my heart for an eternity.
Wayne, Betty, and CJ – My prayers are and will continue to be with you and your families.
Love, Terry, Bob and the Boys
Merr- I will miss your hugs and kindness. I am so sad to know that I will not see your wonderful face and personality when I come to church. Thank you for your time with us on our mission trip to canada. I will never forget your goodnight hugs and how much fun and laughter we all shared. Thank you for giving us all so much. You are such a wonderful person and my heart aches, but also rejoyces that you had such an impact on so many people. Your family should be very proud to have such a wonderful, accepting and joyous person on this earth to share with all of us.God bless you Merrilee, I wil miss you so much. Thank you for opening my eyes to so much of God’s love.
Laura Comstock
Merrilee was a wonderful person. She helped so many people in so many ways. I am so glad that i got to meet her and to have her as my Youth Leader. I am very sad that she had to pass away so soon. But we all know she will always have a special spot in our hearts and we all know she will still be looking after all of us. Thank You so much for eveything and God Bless.
I truly believe there are not enough words to describe the beautiful person Merrilee was. She was God’s gift to all who met her and all those who knew her can truly say they have been in the presence of one of God’s most precious angels. My prayers and thoughts go out to the family in this time of sorrow. Please know that Merrilee remains only a memory away from you at all times. God bless!
I know that me & my family are shocked to hear of her death. We knew her and she was a fantastic lady. She will always be in our hearts. Well we know now she is feeling great and has become the angel she truely is.
My sympathy and love to all of Merrilee’s family. She gave so much of herself to others and lit up the world wherever she was with love and laughter. May your wonderful memories of her sustain you.
We are thinking of you and your family. Russ and Mary Lynn Twohy
A true dear friend gone way to soon for those of us still earth bound. Loved all the personal touches you added to my life. Your friendship will always stay with me along with your gentle caring ways. Love Jo
Our deepest sympathies to Betty, Wayne, C.J. and Ashlee, and all her extended family and friends,
Merrilee’s birth name was an early indication of how she would approach life’s complexities. She embraced each day through the power of Christ’s light. The Holy Spirit worked within her to set examples for those she had sought-out and befriended. Mentoring and guiding were as necessary to her as breathing. Though often weary herself she still could find time to smile, chat, and encourage. Merrile’s spirit is now free from the confines of her earthly body and lives on in the hearts and minds of those who were fortunate enough to know her. We thank-you Merilee for your riches you shared with us. – Laura, Sophia, & Gretchen
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. All of us are richer for having known Merrilee and no doubt she will brighten up the atmosphere in heaven by her presence. May God comfort you with your memories of your daughter, your sister, your aunt or your friend.
Merr was the best Godmother a girl could want. I will never forget all that she did for me and my family. I love you Merr.
Merrilee touched so many lives, in so many different ways. The world is a bit dimmer without her easy smile and her kind heart. May her love and memory urge us all to live in more kindness and loving care. God grant a cushion of care for Mrs. Granlund, Carolyn, Ashlee and other family and friends as we comprehend her passing.
No one will every know what a wounderful mother Merrilee was. No matter what happened she was the most forgiving and loving person. My mom was my best friend, she stood by me and supported me even when she did not agree with my decision. She gave her love and life to youth and her granddaughter Ashlee. I just hope that Ashlee remebers what a wounderful grandmother she had.
Merrilee had a smile like no
other and she gave it to everyone unconditionally. Her
spirit of giving and caring is a great example for all of us to follow. God Bless you her family at this very difficult time.
My last memory of Merrilee with be of her just last monthApril 9th walking with C.J., Ashlee and all the little Brownies in the Jr. Daffodil Parade. She was so happy and proud of those girls-it was written all over her face. I never dreamt that would be the last time I would see Merrilee on “this side”. My heartfelt sympathy to her family, Dee
Although I only knew Merrilee for an all too brief time, she profoundly touched my life. For a few days in August 2003, she led a group of high school students to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where I was serving as pastor. Her geniune care, authentic faith, and absolute trust in God was evident in all that she said and did. Her amazing capacity of unconditional love and her passion for youth, ministry, family and Jesus were infectious. I thank God for bringing Merrilee, God’s joyous, merry gift, gracefully into my life. May God hold you, Merrilee’s family, carefully and lovingly in God’s embrace.
Pastor Lee Woolery
Too soon was Merrilee called home to the father. The caring, love, and kindness Merrilee showed to all those she encountered was awe-inspiring. She made you feel not only special, but important. I will always remember Merrilee’s enthusiam, smile and creativity, especially at Girl Scout camps. It is with a heavy heart, I offer my sincerest condolences to Merrilee’s family. She was a shining light in a dark sky. She will always be missed, but never forgotten. Until we meet again. Love, Tracy
In the short time that I was blessed to know Merrilee, one thing that always struck me was her ceaseless energy. No matter what hardships were thrown her way, she always went about her many endeavors and activities with joy. She was a fantastic youth leader and an amazing woman who lived a very full life.
thank you all for attending the memorial services, the flowers, Cards, prayers, and everything I’ve forgotten. I deeply appreciate it all Even though I don’t Have the words to express them.
I came across this page while searching for something else, and although I knew Merrilee had passed, it really hit home seeing her picture; a neighbor, classmate, and friend too young to die. Rest in peace.
Tom