Dorothy Stevens Merrill

Dorothy Stevens Merrill passed away on December 26, 2023 of causes incident to age. She was born May 18, 1931, to Lona Wiseman and Angus George Stevens in SLC, much anticipated as the first grandchild on both sides of the family. Eventually the eldest of five, the Stevens children all had their turns working hard at their Stevens Cannery in Roy, the last remaining independent cannery in Weber County.

Dorothy earned a bachelor's degree from Utah State Agricultural College, then became an elementary school teacher from Provo to SLC. Through the years she treasured her special relationship as aunt and confidant to her nieces and nephews. When she was 50 she met and married her beloved William Douglas Merrill (also a teacher, and widowed father of six), on Dec. 20, 1980 in the SLC Temple. She immediately became Grandma to 29 grandkids. Together Doug and Dorothy (D&D) spent three lively decades "being there" for their vast family, league bowling, volunteering, traveling, and living much younger than their years. They served an LDS mission to Vermont, returning with the impressively bulky socks she knitted to combat the extreme winter.

Dorothy was an immensely talented pianist, but always brushed aside praise or recognition. She accompanied the elementary school chorus, and every week for many years, went to play old tunes at a local rest home. She had an uncanny ability to play by ear– even late in life as her memory began to fade, the music was still there. Ever working on the next cross stitch or knitting project, she gifted countless creations. She wore magnificent Christmas sweaters and loved chocolate in all its forms. Underneath a guarded exterior, she was a sentimental person, and kept every card sent to her over these many years. She loved to read heartfelt novels set in distant places. She covered a large cork board with photos of friends and family in the center of her home. She remembered everyone's names, and wanted to hear their stories.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Angus and Lona Stevens; husband, Wm Douglas Merrill; brother Bill Stevens; siblings-in-law Gustav R. Horn and Cheryl Kathleen Holmes Stevens; stepchildren Lee Merrill, Billy Jo Merrill; Nedra and Dennis Layne. She is survived by her siblings Marilyn S. Horn; Janet S. and Spencer Ray Child; Jeanne Sylvester Stevens-Hardy; Donald W. Stevens; loving nieces and nephews, and three generations of grandchildren. Most significantly these past decades, Dorothy forged a close bond with Yheily and Hector Daniel Baez, whose lives intertwined with hers to bring so much meaning, joy, and love.

The funeral services for Dorothy Stevens Merrill will take place on Saturday December 30, 2023 at 10:30 AM at the meetinghouse of the Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder-day Saints located at 1282 West 1875 North Farmington, Utah. A viewing will take place prior to the service from 9-10 am. Internment will take place at the Whitney Cemetery in Idaho.

Services will be livestreamed on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page below.