Laura Jane Andrews Merritt

            We are gathered here this morning to bear witness to our faith in the resurrection, the resurrection of all who are buried in Jesus Christ our Lord and the resurrection of Laura Merritt. Laura died at home this last Saturday.  She was 69.

            Laura Jean Andrews was born in Mt Pleasant, PA, the elder of two children of Ralph and Catharine Ahlborn Andrews.  Laura grew up in the neighboring Norman Rockwellesque small town of Scottdale, knowing just about everybody in town, including a boy three years older, one John Frederick Merritt.  More on him later.  Her father was a miner and a mill worker, her mother a homemaker and a teacher’s aide.  So naturally, the two children entered the medical field:  Laura became a nurse and her brother George a doctor.

            Laura graduated from Scottdale High School in 1955 and entered the Westmoreland Hospital School of Nursing in Greensburg, PA, earning her cap in 1958.  There seems to be some family confusion about exactly how Fred and Laura got together.  But somehow one April 1, Laura asked Fred out, and after some initial skepticism that it might be an April Fools joke, Fred accepted.  And they became inseparable.  Fred and Laura married on September 10, 1960.  The Pittsburgh Pirates were on their stretch run to win the pennant, and guests sported “go Bucs” under their wedding garments.  Maybe Laura did too, as she always remembered their wedding occurred just a month before a Pirates fan’s finest hour – Bill Mazeroski’s ninth inning homerun – the shot heard round the world – that won the World Series for Pittsburgh over the Yankees.  Fred and Laura enjoyed 46 years of marriage together, and shared in the joy of having three daughters, Amy, Laura, and Martha.

            After their honeymoon – and that World Series – Laura worked as Fred finished his final year of college.  In their marriage service the soloist sang, “Wither thou goest, I will go,” at Fred’s request. At the time Laura didn’t realize what a challenge that would turn out to be. Fred’s job with Gulf and then with Chevron brought them a number of moves over the years, from Greensburg, PA, to Andover, Mass, the New Jersey Meadowlands, Houston, Cleveland, Columbus, and finally to Richmond.  Along the way Laura worked as a registered nurse in various hospitals and with medical practitioners before retiring in 1996.  But she couldn’t stay away from medicine and medical care.  She cared for her own mother in her last years, and then did volunteer work at Johnston Willis Hospital.

            Laura was a devoted mother to their three girls, but she was born to be a grandmother.  For her own grandsons and for every other baby she could sweep up into her arms.  Perhaps it was that loving, accepting spirit we so associate with grandmothers that drew people to her, people who needed a confidant and accepting friend.  Though trained as a nurse, she found giving shots to young children quite challenging – and always an occasion for comforting a child.  An excellent cook, her care packages for her children and grandchildren were well-deserving of their widely held admiration.

            Laura was a homemaker and nest builder par excellance. In their frequent moves she always managed to make up the girls’ beds first, so they would feel more comfortable in their new home.  Her love for decorating her home was necessary because of her real passion in life:  shopping at yard sales.  She developed yard sale shopping into a science (or art?). Strapping on her fanny pack (to keep her hands free) and leaving car doors unlocked (for quicker movement) she made her Saturday morning rounds.  She was discriminate in her shopping, however. She was known to brag, “I only shop the best neighborhoods.”

            Good humor was a Laura hallmark, humor with a big dose of whimsy.  A pile of stuffed animals in the back of her car or in her bedroom. Goofy nick-knacks.  A beloved cat print quilt made by her grandsons.  The refusal to wear a wig after chemotherapy took her hair, instead sporting an endless array of hats and caps, including a witch’s hat and an elf hat with ears – which she wore to this year’s Christmas Eve service.

            A real sports fan, especially for baseball, Laura also played a little golf. For sure, she enjoyed her relationships with the people she met through Stonehenge Country Club.

            Laura was born and baptized a Presbyterian, and was active in a Presbyterian church most places they lived. She and Fred joined Bon Air Presbyterian in 1994.  Here she showed her compassion and care through the congregational care division and volunteering at the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center.  She enjoyed the weekly Wednesday night fellowship dinners.

            Throughout her life, Laura looked for beauty and lived with grace.  For her, the glass was neither half empty nor half full; it was overflowing with God’s goodness.  Her last illness was a challenge to her, but she fought it all the way. Laura was determined to not give in to her cancer, and equally determined to not let down her family and friends who cared for her.  She just wanted to live life to the last.

            Laura is survived by her husband of 46 years, Fred; her daughters Amy Mettlach and her husband Tom, Laura Truax and her husband Jim, and Martha Merritt; one brother, Dr. George R. Andrews; grandsons, James and Jason Mettlach; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

            Now, having gathered for our mutual support and comfort, and to hear the witness of the scriptures, let us worship God:

R. Charles Grant

Bon Air Presbyterian Church

Richmond, Virginia

February 23, 2007