Miriam R. Merli

Miriam Louise Robinson Merli left us overnight December 25, 2014.

Our mother was born in Richmond, Virginia June 6, 1919 and grew up there and in Washington, D.C. and the Bronx, New York. She was the daughter of Andrew and Estelle Robinson and the sister of Carlotta, Andrew and Alice.

She met our father in January 1942 when he came to work where she did, the British Ministry of Transportation in Manhattan. That morning, she and her coworkers gathered as usual at one’s desk for a cigarette and to swap stories about their weekend exploits; Mom, already engaged, typically was silent. But when that tall, handsome young man strode into the office she declared, “Hands off, girls; he’s mine.” The poor guy never knew what hit him. They married in August.

Three of us followed: Janet, who died in infancy, Laura and John Merli. Mom worked much of her adult life for the Federal Reserve Bank in New York; then moved to Indiana, Texas, again D.C. and once more New York, this time in Suffern. She moved to Sonoma to be near Laura in 2006.

Miriam Merli held enough praiseworthy qualities to more than fill this space, but two stand out: she always was true to herself, and the woman had class. She genuinely liked people of all backgrounds and views, and promoted the best in all who knew her. Our mother was dignified and proper to the last and a true friend. And she was very pretty.

Mom is survived by Laura and John; and by her sister Alice; Laura’s husband Gene Griffith; grandson Jesse Griffith; great-granddaughters Eliza and Kelsey Griffith; nieces and nephews; and a parade of friends, all of whom loved her and were loved by her in return. She will be more than missed.