Patricia Reid

Patricia Louise Merrill Reid (82) passed away quietly in her home on her daughter, Susan's birthday, Saturday, March 8, 2014, following a three year battle with cancer. She was born on May 12, 1931 in Bisbee, Arizona to Estella Christensen Merrill and Miles Weaver Merrill. Pat was preceded in death by her daughter Karen who died at the tender age of 7. She is survived by her devoted husband, George Stephen Reid and four children: Gregory Merrill Reid, Bryon Merrill Reid, Randall Merrill Reid, and Susan Reid Spowart. She is also survived by her brother, Darwin Merrill of Sun City West, Arizona, and leaves behind 15 grandchildren and 10 ½ great-grandchildren. In 1930, with 4 children ranging in age from 11 to 20, Miles and Estella Merrill were pleasantly surprised to learn they would soon welcome their fifth child into the world. Patricia Louise was born in May of the following year in Bisbee, which is where she and her family would continue to live until 1943. When Pat was 12, the family moved to Washington, eventually settling in Tacoma. By 1951, Pat had developed into a smart and beautiful young woman who would attract the attention of a smart, handsome young man named Steve Reid. Following a courtship that had Steve driving 1,684 roundtrip miles every other weekend for nine months between Sunset, Utah and Tacoma, Pat and Steve were sealed together for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on November 4, 1952. Pat was known for her kind and gentle nature. She loved to laugh, to read, and play games. She also developed a special talent for crafts which she often used to create unique and personalized gifts that were meaningful expressions of her love for family and friends. Pat was an excellent 'helpmeet' to her husband and was the glue that held the family together in times of prosperity, as well as in the face of life's challenges. During 61 years of marriage, she would move 25 times and in every setting and situation she created a loving home for her family. Nothing was more important to Pat than family. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, and mother. Although she would endure many trials throughout her life, the loss of her firstborn daughter, Karen, in 1961 was almost too much for her to bear. It was the love she felt for her family and her faith in the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ that saw her through that difficult period. She lived the remainder of her life striving to keep the covenants made in the sacred setting of the Lord's temple and anticipating the day she would be reunited with her beloved daughter for all eternity. A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Pat served faithfully in many ways and in many callings, including Ward Chorister, Primary President, Young Women's President, Relief Society President at both the ward and stake levels, Family History Consultant, temple worker, and secretary to the president of the Dallas Texas Temple. Patricia Louise Merrill Reid left behind a legacy of love and service. She will be greatly missed!