Dawn Jacqueline Merrill of Miami, Florida, died on April 29, 2017. She was 60.
Born August 1, 1956, in Miami, she was the first born of three girls to Myron and Abigail Merrill. She enjoyed the warmth and having her immediate family close by.
A graduate of Deerborn High School in Coral Gables and Miami Dade College, she went on to become office manager at Hoffman Office Supplies, a caregiver at several daycare centers, managed the children’s shoe department at JC Penny for 13 years, and spent the later part of her career as office manager at DJ Forms Co. She lived in the Country Club of Miami where she developed many enduring friendships.
Ms. Merrill also traveled to Hampton Bays every few years where she vacationed with her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She had a natural love for animals and shared that love with many over the years, most recently with Willie, her adopted black cat.
Survivors said she truly enjoyed Facebook, catching up with childhood friends and the social and political activities of her current friends and family. Her world here revolved around her nephew, Cameron, and her niece, Abby. Her greatest passion in life was her Christian faith; she attended services regularly with her pastor, Bob Fowler, for more than 25 years. At her church she was a greeter and ran the daycare center.
Ms. Merrill is survived by her mother, Gail Merrill; sisters, Donna Merrill and Diane Clanton and husband Danny; a nephew, Cameron Chadsey; and a niece, Abby Clanton.
Funeral services took place Sunday, May 7, at R.J. O’Shea Funeral Home in Hampton Bays. Burial followed at Sacred Hearts Cemetery in Southampton on May 8.
on May 16, 2017