My mother, Merge Conroy, died October 20, 2011 in Phoenix, AZ. It was not an unexpected death and she had been preparing for it for several years. Merge transcended the sometimes stoic, and often painful, process of dying with a peaceful acceptance of the inevitable. Her powerful proof of personal courage was a final lesson and gracious gift to her children. Thanks Mom!Her passing was made easier for me by the company of my sister Deb and her husband Ray, my brother Dan and baby brother Bill. Deb and Ray spent many months in Arizona caring for Merge while we all were together most of the last five weeks. It was a special time that will always be fondly remembered and appreciated by us all. Dan, Bill and I also appreciate that our spouses, Bonnie, Toni and Debbie kept the home fires burning and a couple of businesses efficiently humming while we were away.
Here is the obituary that was published in her hometown newspaper, The Daily Jeffersonian of Cambridge, OH.:
ETHEL BASFORD CONROY 1933-2011
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Ethel Mergeline (Merge) Basford Conroy, 78, died Oct. 20, 2011, in Phoenix, from complications following surgery to repair an aortic aneurism. She was born July 15, 1933, in Byesville Ohio, the second child of William Howard Basford and Lillian Irene Newman. Merge married John (Jack) William Conroy of Buffalo, Ohio, on July 29, 1952. Four children were born of this union: Robert Dean Conroy (Debra), Deborah Lynn Krasicky (Raymond), Daniel Jon Conroy (Bonnie) and William John Conroy (Toni). Merge is also survived by eight grandchildren, David Robert Conroy, Kathryn Eileen Lane (Chris), William Michael Conroy (Fay), Daniel Raymond Krasicky , Dennis Daniel Conroy (Meri) , Rick Robert Conroy, Tiffany Anne Conroy, John Robert Conroy; two step grandchildren, Makenzie Leanne Johnson (Nate) and Aimee Ronise Thomas; and five great-grandchildren; Jackson Paul Lane, Allison Danielle Lane, Hayden-Saylor Noel Conroy, Sawyer-Jack Daniel Conroy, Adoline Evangline Krasicky; and one step great-grandchild, Hunter Dean Johnson.
Merge was predeceased by her husband, Jack; her parents; her sister, Lavinna (Lee) O’Karma Mitchell; her brother, John Charles (Jan) Basford; and daughter-in-law, Carol Maureen McCain Conroy. She is survived by her brother, James Basford (Daroline); and her sister-in law, Mary Basford.
Merge had a blessed life filled with family and many friends across the country. She lived in many places including Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Chicago, Detroit, Sacramento and Phoenix. She traveled extensively and visited many distant lands including Israel, Egypt and most of Europe.
In accordance with Merge’s wishes, she will be cremated and her cremains will be interred next to Jack in a private ceremony. The family will hold a Celebration of Life ceremony in Michigan at a future date. Memorials can be sent to the group home that has been home to her grandson, David, for the last 15 years: The Homestead, 1625 Adventureland Dr., Suite B Altoona, IA 50009 http://www.thehomestead.org/
Bob, Deb, Dan and Bill thank everyone that has kept Merge in their thoughts and prayers and we are grateful for the care she received from the medical professionals at Arizona Heart Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital, Medical Center in Phoenix and Hospice of the Valley. A special thank-you goes out to our cousin, Judi Makan, for her inestimable support and strength. Bob, Dan and Bill are also grateful for our sister, Deb, and her husband, Ray, for their unselfish devotion and love while caring for our mother.
I am often reminded of how I miss my mom as her name adorns signs along all the roads I travel. The memories are always good and that is her legacy – all of the memories are good! May she always rest in peace.