Obituary of Grace Merrick

Grace E. Merrick Olean, NY--Grace E. Merrick, 92, of 305 N. First St. died Friday (May 14, 2010) in the Cuba Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility. Born January 3, 1918 in Detroit, MI she was the daughter of Guy James and Sarah E. McKay Merrick. Miss Merrick was a graduate of St. Mary's Hospital Nursing School in New York City and later graduated from Jamestown School of Practical Nursing. She had a long career as a Licensed Practical Nurse with the former St. Francis Hospital and also worked for a short period of time for the former St. Joseph's Manor. She was a longtime member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Olean where she was a very active member, especially during the formation of the Genesis House. She also was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She had spent many years residing with her niece Elizabeth Willson and with another niece Dona Lauser. Surviving are several nieces Dona L. (Bruce) Lauser of Loxley, AL, Elizabeth L. (Rev. William) Willson of Scio and Dorothy (Charles) Blackwell of Ponchatoula, LA and Melba MacDonald of Sedalia, MO; nephews John (Daryl) Crosby of St. Catharines, ONT and James (Ann) Merrick of Ocala, FL; several great nieces and nephews, including Stephanie Lampack (Joseph) Rajski of Cuba and many great great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 1 brother Rev. James Merrick; 2 sisters Dorothy Crosby and Muriel "Billy" Dornow; 2 great nephews John Crosby and William Willson, II in 1990 and a great great nephew David Earl Dustin in 2006. A memorial service will be held in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church at a date and time to be announced. Memorials, if desired, may be made to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church or to the Genesis House. Arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean.