Merrilee Tanner Preece―"Mem" to her family and friends―passed from this life on Monday, January 18, while a life-long friend who was doing the "night shift" held her hand. She passed from this life just as she had lived, full of grace and poise. She battled progressive dementia for some fourteen years, but managed to remain the consummate wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, hiker, biker, and tennis player almost to the end.
Merrilee was born September 10, 1943, to Dr. Richard Stewart Tanner and Anna Dale Storrs Tanner, and was the second of five children. She grew up on Yale Avenue in Salt Lake City and attended East High School. There, she was an excellent student, a cheerleader, and a Junior Prom Queen. She then majored in nursing at the University of Utah where she continued as a cheerleader, served as president of the Chi Omega Sorority, and completed her bachelor's degree in nursing.
She and Michael met in high school. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on July 31, 1964. Merrilee then provided the financial support for the two of them through Michael's education by working as a coronary care nurse at LDS Hospital. They were parents of six children.
Merrilee had many diverse interests. She was an avid tap dancer and an enthusiastic tennis player. She served as assistant tennis coach for both the boys' and girls' tennis teams at East High School for a few years. She later taught Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) courses at West, Highland, and East High Schools for several years. She served in many church positions including in the Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women's Organizations. She and her husband served as president and "mission mother" of the England London South Mission between 2000 and 2003. She deeply loved her four hundred plus missionaries.
Those of her immediate and extended family will sorely miss her. They include her children and spouses: Paige Preece, Mardi and Matt Townsend, Katie and Adam Jacobsmeyer, Camryn Preece, Dr. Michael and Jennie Preece, and Dr. Stephen and Jenny Preece. Her siblings and their spouses include: Deanne and Dr. Howard Francis, Rick and Jan Tanner, Michael and Sandra Tanner, and Rob and Marival Tanner. She was also deeply involved in the lives of her twenty-one grandchildren and her one great granddaughter.
Merrilee's family is profoundly grateful to many friends and family who served her, especially in many extraordinary ways during the few final years of her illness. There are too many to mention, but special acknowledgment is extended to Mafi Mahe and her daughters Silipa and Tiala who became virtually a part of the Preece family. We're also especially grateful for the caring staff at the Legacy Village Memory Unit. Thank you, thank you―to all!
A viewing will be held for all friends and associates on Sunday, January 24, 2016, from 6-8 PM at the Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South in Salt Lake City, and again on Monday, January 25 from 10 AM to 11:30 AM at the Monument Park Stake Center on the corner of Wasatch Drive and 1300 south. Her funeral will follow at noon on the 25th. Her burial will be at Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery.
