Irene M. Merrill

September 26, 1928 - May 10, 2015

Irene M. Merrill passed away Sunday, May 10, 2015, in Haslett, MI. A Memorial Mass will be held Friday, May 15, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Michael Catholic Church in Remus with Father Aaron Ferris, Celebrant. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until the service on Friday. Irene was born on September 26, 1928, in Flint, MI, the daughter of Arthur and Florence (Flanagan) Jaques. She was a “tiny red-headed Irish gal” that was known to be both spunky and feisty. She loved babies and children which was evident by the activities she joined in on with them. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her life and she adored every second spent with them. Irene enjoyed reading the newspaper every morning (front to back), camping, eating lobster (two at a time), and teasing family and friends. She was a great cook especially known for her goulash, macaroni salad, deviled eggs, and lemon meringue pie. Words used to describe Irene were loving, caring, happy, social, very generous and always focused on enjoying life. She was also known to be very patriotic and was said to be a great companion to her late husband, Robert. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Becki (Felix) Ortiz; her son Robin (Ellen) Merrill; one sister, Joyce Curry; sisters-in-law, Margie (Jerry) Stoughton and Beverly Olson; grandchildren, Chris Ortiz (Jennie Hamel), Sean (Anne) Merrill, Heidi (Robert) Bobeda, and great-grandchildren, Joseph, Max, Linden and Violet. Irene was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Robert; her parents, and six siblings. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Washington Woods Senior Citizen Apartments at 821 Cambridge St., Midland, MI 48642. Irene's family would like to send a special thanks to Washington Woods for their wonderful friendship and to A Family Affair for their special care. Friends may share a memory with the family at church or online at janowiczfh.com.