Merry Ellis Obituary

I was shocked to happen upon this obituary. I did not know that Merry died. I worked in Regina SK as a dietitian and met Merry then. She became a friend of mine and then life happened - I moved away from Regina and she did as well. We kept in touch for a number of years then lost touch. Recently, I thought of her and wondered what she was up to and found this obit.
Merry lived up to her name, she was always cheerful and ready to get together for a party. She made so many of us dietitians feel welcomed on our arrival to Regina from other parts of Canada. We were always welcome in her home for a cuppa or drinks or just to feel at home when we were home sick. She was ready to share resources and connect people. Kind and thoughtful and a dear friend. We camped and travelled together too. Thanks Merry and RIP.

Aw, Mer, your memory still brings a smile to my face.

Just watched Youtube video. Had not seen it before. She looks so happy. Although we lost touch I have such great memories from our younger days!! We went to school together and Mer was my bridesmaid. Thankyou Ron, for making her so happy.

I met Merry my first day of work for the Sask Dental Plan in Regina. I had no place to live...Mery decided she would find an apartment for us. We lived in the aprtment she found for two months and then moved into a house on 24th Avenue with 3 other girls: Anne, Bonnie, Karen. We five girls had a lot of crazy wonderful times. Merry and Anne taught me 101 ways to make mac & cheese. [Some of the recipes may have been Brenda's.] Merry and I lost touch with each other as we both left dental assisting behind and went off to other careers and other parts of the world. I treasure those years in Regina with my room mates. I am so happy Merry had a full, rich life with lots of love. I am so sad that it ended all too soon.

I will always remember Merry for her warmth, humor, and uncanny ability to always make everyone

around her totally at ease. With her beautiful smile, wonderful accent, and amazing wit, she always

commanded and received undivided attention. Once she had it, it was all good because that's where

it belonged. She was brilliant, yet she never needed to flaunt it. Whatever she said, you could take it

to the bank because it was real. Merry was a giver not a taker and always contributed to every

situation and you would be glad because you were blessed to be in her presence.

I also enjoyed her interactions with and admiration for her soul mate, Ron. Her loving glances and special

respect were always apparent to me. They were always in one accord and I do not mean a Honda.

Without a doubt, she will be a significant part of all of our lives because she touched us in a very

meaningful way. I thank the Lord for allowing her to show His love through her.

I will always feel very special because Merry Ellis dubbed me......

"Sir Richard"

We became good friends in school and in our young adult lives. Merry was one of our attendants at our wedding. Although distance separated us as our lives progressed, she always remained in touch,& we enjoyed hearing about all of her worldly travels. Merry enjoyed life & truly lived up to her name! All of our lives will be a little dimmer without the spark of her sense of humour and truly wonderful friendship. We'll miss you, dear friend.

From Nadine Froehlich, and Brenda & Mike Koziol

We remember Merry. We have known Merry for many years – Brenda from high school years at good old Gull Lake High, Nadine from Merry's first career as a dental assistant in Regina, and Mike from the time she went to university in Saskatoon and hung out with the geology crowd.

We share many wonderful memories of Merry from those earlier years right up to now. No matter how long it got to be between visits, or how far the distance was that we were apart from Merry, somehow we always knew that the bonds of friendship never weakened and she would always be an important part of our lives, as we know she was for many others.

Through all these years, Merry was the kind of person who was an unconditional best friend. She always had a listening ear and words of encouragement or advice. She is the most giving caring and helpful person you could ever meet and could put a smile on any ones face she met along her travels. No matter what language they spoke, Merry could find a way to communicate with them.

Mike recalls Merry's days of working as a cook in the wilds of Northern Saskatchewan in the early 1980s. He remembers Merry studying at the university, and working during several summers in remote bush exploration camps in the North. The programs usually lasted about three months consecutive. She cooked for crews of 8 to 10 young people, mainly 19 to 21 years of age. They were fun loving people and like most young people they had a variety of issues ranging from being homesick, bored, love sick and just fatigued from being on the job three months straight. Merry was a bit older than most, and they saw her as an older sister or mom figure --- so as well as cooking for them, she doubled as guidance councilor, relationship therapist, nutrition expert and social coordinator. She had so much positive energy and enthusiasm that she united the crew and made life in camp fun and interesting. She genuinely cared for the people even though she only met then for the first time at the start of the summer exploration season.

Merry also showed her caring side. One day, two of my crew did not return to camp as scheduled because of extreme weather on one of the major lakes. She spent as much time worrying about them as I did. I told her that it was my job to worry, but she corrected me that those are “her boys and girls”. I went to search for them and she was geared up to go and was pretty put-out when she was not allowed to go because of the conditions.

We all remember Merry as she evolved as a professional dietician, her caring nature, combined with her extensive knowledge in the medical field, made her much more valuable than the doctors when it came to explaining a condition to patients (and friends!). Doctor Merry had such a great knack for turning the information into a story that her patients could understand and remember -- she could explain it 10 times better than any doctor could.

We remember Merry's adventures. You didn't have to travel to have an adventure with Mer, but when you did go on trips with her, she made it even more fun, whether it be on a ski trip or holidays. And it was great to share in the stories of her travels to exotic – and some not so exotic – lands. We missed Merry during her long stints in Saudi Arabia, but the phone calls from Saudi were always so exciting with her stories of fermenting fruit in bathtubs, clandestine rooftop pig roasts, eating bacon, and enjoying the sunsets in the desert.

We remember Merry meeting Ronnie, her true soul mate and best friend, while on one of her contracts in Saudi. We didn't think it would be possible for any man to keep up with her, but Ron certainly proved us wrong! Merry seemed to be so happy as they shared their life together.

We remember the “Merry-isms”. “yaddah yaddah yaddah”, her famous “BYYYYYYEEEEE”, “knackered”, “good morrow”, and “NO WINDGING”.

We will always remember that Merry really enjoyed life and the people she came in contact with. We, her friends and family are truly enriched from the times we had with Merry.


Nadine, Brenda and Mike

Merry had an infectious enthusiasm. She was a wonderful person, customer, dietitian and friend. She will be greatly missed.