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June 07, 2006
In Memoriam - Mary Kay Merriman
From Stan Merriman:
Mary K Merriman, 69, suddenly passed on Tuesday, June 6. A resident of Houston since 1968, she is survived by her husband, Stan and children Gregory, Julia, Timothy and Moira, grandchildren Graham, Kaetlin, Emma and Hadley, and great grandson Jake. She made her mark on her community with a positive, winning personality and keen intellect. She was an avid advocate of social justice expressed through activism with the civil rights and women’s movements. She served her community by offering herself as a candidate for the State Board of Education and volunteer organizer for the school integration movement called Citizens For Good Schools. Over the years she has served on a variety of boards and held offices with such groups as the League of Women Voters, Houston Works, the Museum of Fine Arts Guild, the Theresians, volunteered with the Museum of Natural Science and the Heritage Society of Houston. She was loved as a teacher with HISD, much of her tenure served at Travis Elementary from which she retired in 2003. She also distinguished herself as a grassroots activist and precinct worker with the Democratic Party. Her life made a difference. She got results. She is widely loved for her respect for all people. She was an unequaled mother, grandmother and loving marriage partner for 46 years.
A Memorial Service will be held at 5:30 pm. on Tuesday, June 13 at The Rice University Catholic Student Center, 1714 Rice Blvd. Friends and family will gather to celebrate her loving, giving life. Come early and stay after to visit with family and her many friends. Parking at clinic nearby, in alley and paid parking at entrance 21 on the Rice Campus. No flowers, please. Donations might be made to the Gathering Place serving the mentally ill.
I'd like to share David Van Os' thoughts on the sudden loss of Mary Kay:
Dear Friends:
The sudden and untimely passing today of Mary Kay Merriman is an occasion of the most profound sadness and sorrow.
As we traverse our lives, we all encounter individuals with whom we are blessed to enjoy rare spiritual connections. Stan Merriman, whom I unabashedly call brother, is such an indiividual to me. And that made Mary Kay such a relationship also, because Stan and Mary Kay were and are the rare couple whose mutual synchronicity brings joy to all who are around them.
My heart is breaking for Stan. Let me relate the comment made to me by immediate past Texas Democratic Party Chair Charles Soechting this evening when I called him at his home to inform him of Stan's loss. In this remark by Charles, no truer words have been spoken: "God, I feel so sad for Stan. In the political world we are so surrounded by self-serving egotistical agendas, but with Stan, even when I found myself disagreeing with him, you just can't help but love him because he is the rare person who has a pure heart, and everything he does is for principle and for a better world." I can do no better than endorse that remark. Right now, on the eve of a Convention that will reflect another forward step in the magnificent work of party-rebuilding that has occupied so much of Stan's attention for the past 4 years, to think of Stan having to deal with such a blow rather than go to Fort Worth and enjoy another step forward in the fruits of his labors, honest to God breaks my heart.
Make no mistake about it, friends. The fact that we are going to have a wide open, democratic election for state party chair is in large part a result of Stan Merriman's labors over the past 4 years to re-democratize the Texas Democratic Party. The fact that the Progressive Populist Caucus meeting is going to draw huge interest and will have heavy impact is a direct result of Stan's labors over the past 4 years in building the Caucus. The fact that the State Party Platform of 2004 was one of the most progressive in the history of the Texas Democratic Party is a direct result of Stan's labors. The fact that the 2006 platform will no doubt continue the same spirit is likewise a result of Stan's work. The fact that the face of the Texas Democratic Party in Convention this week will reflect a much more grassroots oriented party than it did 4 years ago is likewise a direct result of Stan's ceaseless labors, much of which are unknown to most but are undeniable to those who know.
My friends, please think of Stan. Please shower him with your love. This man is a warrior of the heart, a warrior for justice, a warrior for peace, a warrior for a better world.
And as you go forward with our Democratic convention this week, and as you engage in the vigorous debates of a vigorously contested party chair election, remember that the real enemy is in November, and do not break the Party apart over the party chair contest. Whatever you do, do not break the party apart over it, but go from the Convention determined and united to wrest this state away from the robber barons in November and return it to the people. Please do this for Stan. It is a reward he has justly earned and deserves.
David Van Os
I couldn't say it better. Stan, I'm so sorry for your loss.
Posted by Lyn Wall at June 7, 2006 03:54 PM | Permalink
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