Marion "Pat" Janette Hunt-Merriman

Marion “Pat” Hunt (Merriman) was born in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania to Leonard and Margaret (Spotts) Hunt 08 November 1946. She, along with her parents and brother Jim, headed West in 1957 for Bainbridge Island, Washington. An avid swimmer, tennis player, with a passion for horses and fishing and having a profound gift for the written word, Pat formed many friendships on Bainbridge that lasted the duration of her lifetime. Episcopalian by upbringing, Pat was very close to Father Avery and St. Barnabas Episcopal Church on the island. 

Pat loved God through Jesus, and saw his beauty in all creation, especially wildlife. She was passionate about birds, so that a cockatiel flew into her home on Thanksgiving many years ago, and stayed to live with her, made perfect sense to all that loved her. Millie and Pat were inseparable and had a very unique bond. 

Shelley and Pat enjoyed many adventures together. From Waukegan, Illinois to San Diego, California and points in between, Pat was always interested in visiting new places. One of her favorite trips was a 10- day cruise to the San Juan islands, with Sucia Island being the crown jewel. In addition to adventure together, Pat and Shelley could spend hours playing board games. She was a Scrabble player extraordinaire, a BINGO fan, and a card shark. During the dark and lonely days of covid, they would have feisty games of gin rummy online. Through the good times and the bad, Shelley always knew she had an ever faithful and supportive cheerleader in her corner, one who gave nothing but unconditional love.

Pat also had a love of music and singing, although the latter was typically done at home. Pat and her daughter Steph sang and danced to many songs; however, “their” song was I Don’t Know Much by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville. There would always be dancing when the two of them were not picking a point on the compass and heading out for a road trip or impromptu camping excursion. When Steph began working with the Seattle Mariners, their bond deepened through baseball and were able to watch a few of the playoff games together at home this year. Pat loved our veterans and first responders, and said to Steph prior to her passing, “You saw a huge problem, a significant need and you are doing something about it.” Thank you, Momom.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Jim (Unc); husbands, Dennis Williams and Edward Gaspar; and her in laws Virgil and Irene Williams. She is survived by her daughters, Dr. Stephanie I. Gaspar; Shelley (Williams) Geisreiter and her husband, Kurt; Grandsons Kyle and Cory LaVelle; her granddog Belleau Wood and her grandcat Atticus Finch; nieces, nephews, and close lifelong friends.

Services will be held 13 May 2023 at King of Glory Parish with private graveside interment limited to the family and very close friends on the 15th.

There are in the end three things that last: faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love.1 Corinthians 13:13

Arrangements are entrusted to the Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island.