Merrigay Schroer
June 1, 1943 ~ August 3, 2024
Merrigay Schroer (née Woodburn), 81, of Avon, IN passed away on August 3rd after a year-long bout with GI cancer. She spent her last weeks snuggled up in her home surrounded by her loved ones, beloved dachshund, and great-grand kitties, frequently on FaceTime with her out-of-state granddaughter and new great-granddaughter, just born in July.
Merrigay—known affectionately as “Grammy” to many friends and family— was born on June 1, 1943, to Mary Marguerite and Thomas Woodburn in Terre Haute, IN. In 1961, she graduated from Wiley High School as salutatorian and went on to study education and French at Indiana State University, graduating magna cum laude in 1965. Merrigay later married and went on to have a daughter, Julie (Kenny), two granddaughters, Marguerite (Alex) and Betsy, two step-granddaughters, Hannah and Haleigh, and a great-granddaughter, Guinevere.
Merrigay worked tirelessly raising her daughter and instilled in her the values of kindness, gratitude, independence, creativity, exploring new ideas, and cultivating a higher self.
She retired in 2002 and spent her days nannying her granddaughters and sharing her love of gardening, arts, crafts, language, and music with them. Merrigay always had a creative project or idea in the works and a book in her hand. She was a gardening enthusiast and also had a never-ending passion for learning and curiosity. She was frequently known to have a midnight google search to answer whatever question she had dreamt up—anything from “do spiders have eyelids” to “what makes soap work”—and she loved sharing the information she discovered with her granddaughters.
Merrigay had a unique zest for life and way about her that the people who knew her will undoubtedly miss. She was always quick with a deadpan joke, a well-timed sigh, an absent-minded moment, or a sharp look to make her loved ones laugh. She is survived by her daughter, granddaughters, step-granddaughters, and great-granddaughter, as well as her brother Tommy (Jennifer), and friend and end-of-life caretaker, Marilyn.
A celebration of her wonderful life will be held on Friday, April 4th in Terre Haute, IN to allow for the travel and attendance of family and friends from out of state. Merrigay’s ashes will be spread in some of her most beloved locations, as was her wish.
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This is not a goodbye to my old friend but a see ya later to walk down the streets of gold holding hands and giggling like we had never parted. The last time I talked to you was two days before you left this realm. I told you I was mad with you because I was born first but you get to see our Jesus first! I’m sure you can’t believe all you are seeing as He shows you His Father on the throne and all the wonders of Heaven. Love you sister friend. See you soon 🙂
John 3:16
Very sorry to hear this news. I worked with Merrigay at BCBS, in the training department. She was always our go to for Medicare Supplement knowledge. Prayers for her family.
Wonderful woman, person, co-worker, friend. Julie was her life and she was so excited for retirement to devote full time as Grandma. Blessed to have known her and to have shared our lives as work family.