Obituary of Rose Merle

Merle, Rose D. Rose D. Merle, loving mother, ever devoted wife, nurturing grandmother and great-grandmother, and amazing sweet roll maker greeted her beloved Father on February 22, 2012 after a courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Meeting her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Bob Merle, in Attica NY, the two lived all over the country, settling in Kendall, NY. She adoringly raised 8 children which included mending broken bones, chasing them through the woods and creek, writing sayings on their lunch bags, raising their friends, and opening her home to anyone who needed a warm meal or a hot fudge sundae. Anyone who had the honor of knowing Rose would agree she was endlessly generous, completely honest, full of motherly wisdom, a devout Catholic, and the best provider when times were tough. Our mom loved competitive cribbage and the Upwords game, made out-of-this world chocolate chip cookies, loved walking the beach in Litchfield, South Carolina, enjoyed reading a good Jan Karon novel and cared for anyone who needed it. She enjoyed a good game of golf with her two daughters and favorite son-in-law, and breakfast with her "church-lady" friends. Her love of music was evident throughout her life. The piano, which she taught herself to play, was always in the home. She passed on her appreciation of music to her children who were all members of the marching and concert band. Some of her favorite songs included Jimmy Buffet's "Fins", "Cheeseburger in Paradise" and Kenny Roger's "The Gambler", and "Through the Years". With 8 kids, there was always the requirement for discipline and consequence for inappropriate behavior…… normally after church. We all have fond memories of the Grants parking lot and pleads of "We'll be good" or jockeying for position to delay the inevitable. Bert often decided to run away from home which normally ended at the pool deck with crackers. As night set in, she slowly moved closer to the house and eventually forgave all so she could come in. René had the first honor to babysit the Merle Mob which as we recall ended with the parents coming home to René locked out of the house. Illness in the Merle household was always defined as newspapers on the floor and Lysol in the air. Mom would put us in lawn chairs as she did not want us to have an accident on any of the furniture. The meaning of an illness going around really struck home at the Merle's, like the time we had chicken pox ..(All of us). You would have thought Armageddon had hit as we had bodies everywhere with moaning and pu#* at all bathrooms. Mom spent the entire day/week attending to all with equal time. Speaking of accidents, we all remember Ray as he was very vocal with his aliments, like the Halloween when he hid in the shrubs to scare kids, only to wake up the entire house the next morning to screams of "I can't move…I'm paralyzed". Don't worry it was only a stiff neck. Bob and Rose gave most of the kids a good sense of humor. Most people still do not understand the humor that develops when the Merle kids get together and reminisce. The old story of life at the Merle house has grown into epic stories of heroics and stuff movies are made of. Most of the movies would have been comedies (not PG). Now to the pets Mom truely loved……………………..moving right along. Vacations were always a concern for the older kids as it sometimes meant a new addition to the family (Ruthie). We all have different memories of vacations but all agreed there is nothing like so many R's in one station wagons. We all remember visiting aunts and uncles (who loved to have us overnight), the Meiers, the Steins, and friends across the country who no longer answer the phone. Litchfield has become a special place that the family has come to call a home away from home. We, to this day, still go there each year and bring the new additions to the family, with Jay being the latest. Mom had a way of welcoming the girlfriends and boyfriends into the fold, and later bringing the son-in-laws and daughter-in-laws into the family. Everyone called her Mom! She had a challenge though as most prospects were scared off during the Merle Mafia Black Ball ceremony which started at a very early time thanks to Dad, Uncle Bill, Uncle Harold and Uncle Kenny (all of the four brothers always laughed at their own jokes…no one else would). Don't worry as the tradition still goes strong and we are all so looking forward to Leah's, Mikes, Jake's or Cory's potential spouse's to show up. Of course, we will always bow to the original rat pack for guidance. Now to politics. Mom had a very clear and positive opinion of George W., Bill O'Reily and Glen Beck. Her favorite TV show was Fox News and it was always heard within two blocks of the house. She was always had a strong Republican, but with her Christian soul, she had a special place for Obama on the short bus. Mom sometimes exaggerated on the Required Holy Days of obligations which none of the kids checked as we totally believed her. Who would have thought there were not 300 days of required church in a year? This came to light recently when we were talking with Father G about Ash Wednesday and the room went silent when he informed all that it was not a holy day of obligation. As of today we are starting with a clean sheet of paper which means "meat for everyone on Friday"! Mom will always live on through her family of 8 kids, 22 grandkids and 1 great grandkid as follows; Rene and Larry Katie Andy Erin Russ and Margy Sean, Steph and little Brooke Jake Randy and Jill Mike Deb Bert and Joe Missy and Jay Leah Ray and Netty Erik Megan Cammie Bennie Becky and Kevin Courtney Trevor Hannah Abby Ross and Alice Cory Aria Mathew Ruth and Scott Evening Kellyn Her open heart, tender touch, compassionate advice and beautiful smile will be forever appreciated and missed. Rose's Memorial Mass will be celebrated 11 AM on Saturday at St. John the Evangelist, 55 Martha St., Spencerport, NY 14559. In lieu of flowers, send donations to "Step it up for a cure", local research for pancreatic cancer: www.stepitupforacure.org/donate_mail.html in Rose's memory.