After a short battle with Alzheimer’s, Pat Merritt passed away on July 30, 2017 in Lake Havasu, Arizona, surrounded by her husband and children. Pat was born on October 5, 1940 in Helena, Montana to Charles and Myrtle Everett. She grew up and was educated in Tacoma, Washington. On Christmas day 1960, she married Lanny Merritt, in National City, California. Less than a year later, they packed up the family and returned to Tacoma, Washington, living there until March 1966, when they moved to Cordova, Alaska to spend the next 35 years.
During her life in Cordova, Pat held many jobs. With her good friend Virginia Dale, they opened a toy store called “Master Merritt Toys!” Then a few years later she became a stay at home mom caring for her children. Once the kids were in school, Pat began working in the office of Ocean Beauty Seafoods. She quickly advanced to manager becoming Jim Poor’s right hand assistant until she retired 18 years later. During the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, Pat dispatched for Veco. Then she went on to work at FNBA as a teller, advancing to branch manager, until they moved to Wasilla, Alaska.
Pat and Lanny were snowbirds, traveling to and from Arizona, until Pat decided she had enough of the cold! Pat was a loving wife, mother and friend to many. She had a big heart and was always willing to help anyone in need. Pat enjoyed being in the sun and gardening but her greatest love was her family.
She is survived by her husband Lanny Merritt, children, Linda Ramos and spouse Edgar, Barry Merritt, and daughter in law Tracy Merritt, Terry Merritt and daughter in law Carol Merritt, Jim Merritt and daughter in law Leah Merritt, Randy Merritt and daughter in law Tami Merritt, Jeanne Sampson and spouse Gary Sampson, sister Sally Tennis, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
