Lucille, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at the age of 95, living a long full life. She left an exemplary legacy embodying love of family and love of her Savior Jesus Christ.
She was born on April 7, 1927, in Centerfield, Sanpete County, Utah to Ross August and Ethel Gertrude Peterson, the second of five children. Her sweet mother passed away when Lucille was 14. This tragedy provided her an opportunity to work and serve as she helped run the house and care for her siblings. When her father married Johanna, she gained four sisters, and their family grew to nine children. After graduating from Gunnison High School, she joined the Cadet Nurse Corps at the University of Utah and graduated from the LDS Hospital School of Nursing in 1948.
She met the love of her life, William “Bill” Merrick, and they were married in 1949. Together they survived raising five children and celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary last October before Bill passed away.
Lucille was a highly skilled nurse with a strong work ethic. She worked in the Orthopedics Department at LDS Hospital for forty years, retiring in 1992. She was an adventurer and traveled the world with family and friends to every continent except South America. As a nurse she sojourned to China and Japan to witness and learn from their surgical procedures.
Mom loved music and it brought an abundance of joy to her life. In her teenage years she played the saxophone and clarinet. As an adult she sang for many years with local musical groups, notably “The Rose Tones”, a group of women from Rose Park. She was honored to be a Choir Director for years.
She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served tirelessly in many capacities. She was Relief Society President in her Rose Park Ward and Stake multiple times over many decades, teaching her family through example about love, compassion, and service by her actions.
She loved to sew and made beautiful quilts with a signature peak border. She used her skills of cooking, baking, and canning to bless others and was famous for her apple pie that so many recipients were able to enjoy.
Lucille had a deep love for her family, and organized family reunions to keep the bonds of our extended family strong. She was so happy when we got together, and everyone looked forward to her specialty, Grape-Nut Ice Cream!
Lucille is survived by her children, Leslie Merrick, Stevane (Fernando) Godina, Robert (Laurie) Merrick, and daughter in law, Debbie Merrick; along with ten grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren, as well as sisters, Frankie Christiansen and Porcia Straw. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, son John Merrick, and daughter Anne Merrick.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 26, at the Rose Park Stake Center chapel, 760 N 1200 W, Salt Lake City, UT, 84116. A viewing will be held Monday, July 25 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E South Temple, Salt Lake City and Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. at the church prior to the service. Interment at Lakeview Memorial Cemetery in Bountiful.
You can view the recorded service by clicking on the watch service button above.
The family would like to thank Mom’s care team at Legacy House of Bountiful and the team from Utah Home Health and Hospice.
Deanna and I are so sorry to see that she has passed away. Please accept our sincere condolences.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Sister Merrick. She brought so much happiness to my life when I moved into the Ward. She always had a smile and kind word and she was a classy dresser and fixed her hair so nice.
Leslie and Stevane: I’m so sorry to hear about your dear mom. She certainly was a big part of my childhood years in Rose Park. She was always a lady I admired. My last memory of her was when I was grocery shopping for my mother and luckily ran into your mom where we had a nice visit. My thoughts are with you!
— Jan Charles Green