Merry Lathrop In Memoriam

It is with profound sadness that I mourn the transition of Merry Lathrop.  Few people practice the art of goodness the way she did.  Solene Grace said "Whenever there was a need around her she tended to it -- that was Merry Lathrop."  And I can attest from personal experience this is true.  

During OPJ meetings she was fond of saying that she "didn't have a spiritual bone in her" but you could have fooled me!  Every word and deed that I saw was consistent with the Quaker testimony of truth and integrity.  And I could always count on Merry  to never mince her words and do it in such a kind way that I was often swayed by her arguments. 

We served together on the Outreach, Peace and Justice committee for many years -- since 2009 to be exact.  I have to say that she was a constant and gentle presence. A person you could count on.  And that was demonstrated in so many ways.  Merry took people into her home who needed a place to land and traveled far and wide to share nuclear non-proliferation. 

Peace and justice were in her DNA.  No matter where she was in the world, peace and justice were present. 

I'm reminded of the poem by Mary Oliver, When Death Comes 

When it's over, I don't want to wonder if I have made of my life something particular, and real. I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened, or full of argument. I don't want to end up simply having visited this world

The full poem here:
​https://www.loc.gov/programs/poetry-and-literature/poet-laureate/poet-laureate-projects/poetry-180/all-poems/item/poetry-180-102/when-death-comes/

Merry led a full life.  A life full of contribution.  Definitely not a visitor.

Please continue to hold her in the light these next few days and also Don, her loving partner of 75 years.