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Maria Cristina Chabran Acevedo de Merrill aka Maria Merrill, 88

July 3, 1929 – Aug. 5, 2017

The little teenage girl who moved to California from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, had a powerful faith and genuine love for God. That little girl slipped off peacefully to meet Jesus and be reunited with her loved ones in heaven on the morning of Aug. 5, 2017.

Maria and her family bravely traveled across the U.S. from Miami to Seaside, Calif., on a bus in the late 1940s. They worked hard to prosper in their new life in the United States.

While working in the hospital in Seaside, she met the man of her dreams at a Halloween party. Maria was dressed as a beautiful gypsy princess and he was so handsome in his officers uniform. It was love at first sight. Maria and Bob married on April 7, 1951.

Robert was an Air Force officer working in the intelligence field. Maria persisted through the long absences while her husband went on missions. Because Robert worked in intelligence, she frequently would not know where he was going or when he would return. She successfully raised five children while constantly moving throughout the U.S., Japan and Puerto Rico.

She believed in strong family ties and worked tirelessly to keep her children connected to their relatives and her Lord. Maria passed on her faith and love for Jesus and the world around her. Her prayers for others never stopped.

Maria would always tell anyone she met that she loved them, and her sweet spirit would make lifelong friends whereever she went. She set up welcoming households in Coeur d’Alene and Hayden Lake, Idaho, that were always open to neighbors, family and friends.

Maria was famous for her Spanish rice and loving heart. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all loved her cooking and her caring spirit. She always had a kind and encouraging word for them all.

The family wants to thank the caring staff at Auburn Hospice for making Maria’s last days pleasant and comfortable.

We especially want to thank the family of caregivers at Wellspring Meadows. For the last year and a half, they loved on Maria and created the best home environment anyone could ask for. Your hugs, kisses, prayers, help and patience blessed not just Maria but our entire family.

Maria is survived by Mary Jane Merrill of Sandpoint, Idaho; John Chabran Merrill of Dallas, Texas; Annette Passant Merrill Smoot of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Robert Nelson Merrill of Bellingham, Wash.; and Rafael Edward Merrill of Coeur d’Alene; her sister, Myrtha Ofelia Chabran Acevedo of Berkeley, Calif.; nieces, nephews and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Maria is predeceased by her husband, Major Robert Archer Merrill, retired USAF; her parents, Rafael Florencio Chabran Rodriguez and Maria Samalo (Malo) Acevedo Gonzalez; her brothers, Harry Chabran Acevedo (aka Harry Chabram) and Rafael Chabran Acevedo.

Maria touched many lives and will be missed greatly.

Memorial service for Maria will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. A reception will follow the service.

Visit Maria’s memorial and sign her online guest book at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.