Dorothy Lucille Merriman, 89

Dorothy Lucille Merriman of Eugene, Ore., passed away on May 10, 2014, just surpassing her 89th birthday by seven days. 

Dorothy was born May 3, 1925, in Coleman, Alberta, Canada, the only child of Percival and Austa Unsworth. She attended Connaught Elementary, Snalta Junior, and Calgary and Western Canada high schools in Calgary, Alberta, graduating high school in 1943. Dorothy was Valedictorian of her class of 1500 students. For this, she was awarded the prize of a business course in journalism. Dorothy also attended Mount Royal College in Calgary to study business. Dorothy loved horses, and for a time worked at the Calgary Race Track as a horse exerciser.

At age 18, Dorothy moved to Spokane, Wash., and later became a U.S. citizen. She worked as a private secretary for the owner of the Davenport Hotel in 1945. After that, she became the receptionist at radio station KFPY. There, she met her future husband, Bernard Merriman. They were married on October 12, 1946. 

Together, Dorothy and Bernard moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where they both worked at radio station KVNI - she as a secretary-copy writer, and he as continuity writer. Three children were born in Coeur d'Alene: a son, Grant, and two daughters, Gayle and Gwenna.

Dorothy and Bernard were members of the Idaho Writer's League, and Dorothy wrote poetry which was published. She and Bernard also enjoyed photography as a mutual hobby, were members of the Silver Image Photography Club, and blended these two activities into a research project entitled, "In Search of Mullan's Roads," a historical documentary which currently resides in video format at the North Idaho College Library. 

Dorothy also enjoyed drawing, painting, crocheting, fictional writing, and was a member of the Coeur d'Alene Community Theater. For a time, she was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church.

In 2003, Dorothy moved to Eugene, Ore., to live with her daughter, Gayle. There, she attended the Eugene Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. 

Dorothy is survived by her two daughters: Gayle Carlson of Eugene,Ore., and Gwenna Merriman, of Freso, Calif., seven grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.

Dorothy was an irrepressible optimist, and always delighted people she met. She was happy coming to Eugene and enjoyed the beauty of the Willamette Valley, but looked forward each summer to return visits to her beautiful Lake Coeur d'Alene.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 21, at the Eugene Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, 490 Howard Ave., Eugene, Ore. Burial is at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens, 7315 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.