Meryle Kay Michael
Meryle Kay Michael
Meryle Kay “Mert” Michael (72) passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 25 th after a nineteen year battle with cancer.
Mert’s life was full of joy, happiness and many
blessings. She lived a full life and
enjoyed family, fun, friends and her Catholic faith. She would have celebrated her 73
rd
birthday on March 8
th
.
She was the second of four girls born in Boise to Thomas and
Marjorie Kurdy. She and her sister Carol
were born before the 2
nd
World War and her two younger sisters after
the war as her father was gone for almost 5 years serving his country in the
South Pacific during WW II. She was a
proud member of the “Kurdy Clan” growing up.
She attended Whittier, Jefferson, South Junior High , Boise High for 1
year and a member of the first graduating class of Borah High School in
1959. Her lifelong friends were Boise
kids and she loved being an Idaho native.
After high school, she attended the University of Idaho and
became a pledge and member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She loved college, especially the social
life. She attended her 50
th
class reunion last year at the University with her pledge class sisters.
Mert was proud to be a “second generation” Vandal along with
her father, uncles, aunts and numerous cousins.
She especially showed her dedication and loyalty when she agreed to be
the “First Lady” for the University of Idaho during the year Gary voluntarily
served as President. She is due to be
honored on April 10 with the Jim Lyle Award for her outstanding contributions
to the University and alumni through volunteerism.
She met her future husband, Gary, at Idaho and they were
married on December 28, 1961 at Sacred Heart Church in Boise. Gary entered the US Army upon his graduation
in 1962. They lived in New York from
1962 – 1964, the only time in her life she did not live in Idaho.
In 1964, they moved back to Boise where their first son,
Glenn, was born followed by JP in 1967 and Todd in 1969. She was an outstanding mother to the boys and
one of Boise’s greatest volunteers. Her
many activities included volunteering for:
the ARC; Boise Art Museum; Cub Scouts; Fundsy (chairing the auction in
1988); McCall Memorial Hospital; Boise School Volunteers; Saint Alphonsus
Festival of Trees (chairing the event in 1987); the YMCA as Treasurer and Board Member and
participated in the search that brought Jim Everett to Boise.
In 1985, she received the Boise School District Golden Apple Award for her hours of dedication. In 1990, Saint Alphonsus honored her as the Distinguished Citizen of the Year and recently she accepted the Sustainer of the Year award from the Junior League of Boise for her community service.
Her home was always open to anyone and was a favorite hangout for the kids and their friends. She was always happiest at home and the family cabin in McCall. She loved dinner parties, cocktail hour and Bridge. She was a great storyteller who could really embellish and add to any story to make it more interesting!
Her faith and attending church were central to her life as was her marriage and her influence on her children and grandchildren.
Survived by her husband Gary of 52 years; son Glenn (Tina) and their children Chris, Scott and Andrew; son Jonathan (Linda) and their children Jack, TJ, Jed and Mia; son Todd (Leslie) and their children Grace and Harrison; her sisters Carol (Warren) Hawley, Ann (Stan) Holton and Kathy Goldsmith and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many special friends, especially Elaine Atkins.
The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Stephanie Hodson, nurse Jan and the entire crew at St. Alphonsus Cancer Care Center. Thanks to Dr. Tim Sawyer, a very special caring physician who gave us great guidance. We want to acknowledge Dr. Michael Maier for his long time care. Also thank you to St. Luke’s Hospice Care and BrightStar who provided outstanding care during her final days.
She was special to every person and thing she touched. She will be greatly missed and we have been very lucky and blessed to have shared our lives with her.
A vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, Feb 28 at
the Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel, 5400 Fairview Ave.. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00
a.m., Saturday, March 1, at St. John's
Cathedral with The Rev. Henry Carmona as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Dry Creek Cemetery.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Meryle Kay Michael, please visit our flower store.
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