Merrigay Schroer

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 is to be held next spring in Terre Haute, IN to allow for the travel and attendance of family and friends from out of state. Announcements for her celebration of life will be made in advance to notify anyone wishing to attend or send flowers. Merrigay’s ashes will be spread in some of her most beloved locations, as was her wish.