Birth date: Mar 12, 1932 Death date: Dec 31, 2025
Shirley F. Merchant, a longtime resident of the Tacoma area, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on December 31, 2025, in Tacoma, Washington, at the age of 93. Born on March 12, 1932 in Northport, Washingto Read Obituary
Grandma Merchant is the best person I know. She was more than a grandma she was everyone’s mother. She had a hand in raising us all and she just wanted the best for us. I have so may fond memories I couldn’t even write them all down if I tried. I had so many road trips with her as a kid. We went to Florida, Idaho, eastern Washington, Arizona and more. I always loved traveling with her. Camping with her was the best too. She always had a good time. Oh and how cute was she in her square dancing outfits?!? Don’t get me started on those skirts. So adorable!! She was the dog whisperer. Every dog loved her and wanted to be in her lap. Her soul was amazing and they knew it. She was the phone call I made when life was too heavy to deal with. She was my voice of reason, my peace, and my best friend. For years I teased her because there was ALWAYS a cold cup of coffee sitting in her microwave every time you opened it. It was so cute and funny but then came the memory loss for real. Dementia is not fair and doesn’t care how amazing of a person you are. You deserved so much better, I wish your story didn’t end that way. I am so proud to be your granddaughter and so thankful to have you for so long. Selfishly my heart will ache forever without you, even though I know you will always be with me. A part of me… not lost just distant. Out of reach but connected by souls. I love you forever grandma. May your memory live on forever.
