Gay Maryon Merrill

Gay Maryon Merrill, beloved mother, wife and friend to all. She was born in Salt Lake City Utah July 12, 1939 to Edward Baker Maryon and Helen Sorenson. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones after a gracious 16-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Throughout her personal battle she was gentle, enduring, and she never lost her sweetness, she was a favorite of all her caregivers. She kept her spunk, and fun personality throughout the whole journey. She was a selfless person, filled with compassion, and would help anyone that was in need even if she went without. She loved throwing parties and she threw the best ones. She loved hot fudge sundaes with extra extra extra hot fudge and would always ask for more! She loved making creative foods and recipes, she loved decorating for every holiday, and special occasion especially for her own family.

She passed away with her family by her side on Tuesday April 7, 2026. She is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years Rulon Harris Merrill, her son Benjamin Harris Merrill, and daughter Julie Merrill. She is survived by her children Mindy Rogers, John Merrill, Andrea Thompson, Dan Merrill ( Liz), Sarah Aguilar, Angie Bell (Joe).

She is survived by 20 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.

She married the love of her life, her high school sweetheart. On Sept 5, 1958 in the Salt Lake Temple. As a young mother she loved being an executive secretary at Beneficial Life, she left her career to raise her children, which was her happiness in life. Rulon and Gay through their married life and raising their children together, shared a love for animals. They raised and bred German shepherds and cared for animals of all types.

She and her husband lived in Western Samoa for 3 years with their young family while her husband served as mission president and helped establish the seminary program in the Samoan islands. She cherished her time in the Polynesian islands and loved the people; she was sad to leave them behind along with her beloved son Benjamin who was born prematurely and passed 25 days after birth and was buried there.

She loved the Lord, she was an active member throughout her whole life, and held many callings. Among some of her favorites were serving in primary, teaching the children and serving as a librarian with her best friend Judy Larson.

She started her own in-home daycare for over 40+ years, she loved caring for children, and sharing her love of baking, sewing, crafts, books, and reading.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, she was beloved by all who crossed her path. She is now in the safe arms of her savior, as she was a dedicated, devoted, faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The family would like to thank the staff at Hospice for Utah and the Beehive Home of Draper for all of the love and great care they showed our mom.

Funeral services will be held Monday, April 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at  Cannon Mortuary located at 2460 E. Bengal Blvd., Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121. A viewing will be held at Cannon Mortuary, Sunday. April 12, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.