Cover photo for Maria Merrill's Obituary
Maria Merrill Profile Photo

Maria Merrill

July 3, 1929 — August 5, 2017

Maria Merrill

Memorial service for Maria will be 10 a.m. Saturday August 26, 2017, at the English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. 4th St., Coeur d'Alene, ID. A reception will follow the service.

Maria Cristina Chabran Acevedo de Merrill aka Maria Merrill

Born July 3, 1929

Died August 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 August 5th, 2017.

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

While working in the hospital in Seaside, California, 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 life-long friends where ever 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, grand children, and great grand children 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, Washington; and Rafael Edward Merrill of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; her sister Myrtha Ofelia Chabran Acevedo of Berkeley, California; 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.
-----------------
Maria Cristina Chabran Acevedo de Merrill aka Maria Merrill

Nacido el 3 de julio de 1929

Fallecido el 5 de agosto de 2017

La pequeña adolescente que se mudó a California de Arecibo, Puerto Rico, tenía una poderosa fe y amor genuino por Dios. Esa niña se deslizó pacíficamente para encontrarse con Jesús y reunirse con sus seres queridos en el cielo en la mañana del 5 de agosto de 2017.

María y su familia viajaron valerosamente a través de los Estados Unidos de Miami a Seaside, California, en un autobús a finales de 1940. Trabajaron duro para prosperar en su nueva vida en los Estados Unidos.

Mientras trabajaba en el hospital de Seaside, California, conoció al hombre de sus sueños en una fiesta de Halloween. María estaba vestida como una hermosa princesa gitana y era tan guapo en su uniforme de oficiales. Fue amor a primera vista. Maria y Bob se casaron el 7 de abril de 1951

Robert era un oficial de la Fuerza Aérea que trabajaba en el campo de la inteligencia. María persistió a través de las largas ausencias mientras su marido iba en misiones. Debido a que Robert trabajaba en inteligencia, con frecuencia no sabía a dónde iba o cuándo regresaría. Ella crió con éxito a cinco niños mientras se movía constantemente por los Estados Unidos, Japón y Puerto Rico.

Ella creía en fuertes lazos familiares y trabajaba incansablemente para mantener a sus hijos conectados con sus parientes y con su Señor. María transmitió su fe y amor por Jesús y el mundo que la rodeaba. Sus oraciones por los demás nunca se detuvieron.

María siempre decía a cualquier persona que conociera que los amaba, y su dulce espíritu haría amigos de toda la vida dondequiera que fuese. Ella estableció acogedores hogares en Coeur d'Alene y Hayden Lake, Idaho que siempre estaban abiertos a los vecinos, familiares y amigos.

María era famosa por su arroz español y corazón cariñoso. Sus hijos, nietos y bisnietos adoraban su cocina y su espíritu de cuidado. Ella siempre tuvo una palabra amable y alentadora para todos ellos.

La familia quiere agradecer al atento personal del Hospicio de Auburn por hacer que los últimos días de María sean agradables y cómodos.

Queremos agradecer especialmente a la familia de cuidadores de Wellspring Meadows. Durante el último año y medio, amaron a María y crearon el mejor ambiente familiar que cualquiera podía pedir. Sus abrazos, besos, oraciones, ayuda y paciencia bendijeron no sólo a María sino a toda nuestra familia.

María es sobrevivida por Mary Jane Merrill de Sandpoint, Idaho; John Chabran Merrill, de Dallas, Texas; Annette Passant Merrill Smoot, de Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Robert Nelson Merrill, de Bellingham, Washington; Y Rafael Edward Merrill de Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Su hermana Myrtha Ofelia Chabran Acevedo de Berkeley, California; Sobrinas, sobrinos y muchos nietos y bisnietos.

María es predeceased por su marido, Major Robert Archer Merrill, retirado USAF; Sus padres Rafael Florencio Chabran Rodríguez y María Samalo (Malo) Acevedo González; Sus hermanos Harry Chabran Acevedo (alias Harry Chabram), y Rafael Chabran Acevedo.

María tocó muchas vidas y se extrañará mucho.

Memorial Service

English Funeral Chapel
  • Email Details
  • 1133 N. 4th St
    Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
  • A reception will immediately follow the service.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Maria Merrill, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Visits: 11

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree