Galva Clarendon Merrill

Tuesday, August 1st just as a light rain began to fall outside, a bell must have rung somewhere, because the angel and rock of our family received her much-deserved wings as she peacefully went to be with our Lord. Galva Clarendon Merrill. 97, was a giver in the truest sense of the word. She was a kind, gracious, nonjudgemental giver of her time, efforts. thoughts and love. Surrounded by her loved ones, “Grammy Gal” in her final hours, was told just how much she meant to her family and friends and how she had so powerfully influenced all their lives. Galva and her sister Dorotha, now 94, were born and raised in rural Tioga, Pennsylvania on a dairy farm. Galva told so many wonderful stories about living on the farm—all the work, fun and frustrations. However, the best thing about living on the farm she discovered years later. The strength of her bones and constitution, she insisted, came from all the fresh milk and vegetables she ate as a child. Following high school, Galva went to the Williamsport, PA secretarial school which prepared her for a secretarial position at Blossburg, PA hospital. While in Blossburg she met and married Howard Merrill, who soon after was flown overseas to fight in WWII. In 1954 Galva and her family moved to Arlington, TX. Throughout the life of this amazing and private woman, her hands were always busy—needlecraft, ceramics, sewing, painting, drawing, cooking, and gardening. However, if her children, grand children, great grandchildren or friends needed her, she would drop everything to help. Galva's positive influence blessed all their lives. In a world of “it is all about ME,” Grammy Gal was a pure “it is all about YOU”…loving, caring and generous to a fault. Galva is survived by two children: Connie Ruff and husband Bailey, John Merrill and wife Diane: four grandchildren; Darlene Haynes, Cary Snowden, Brian Merrill and his wife Nikki and Braden Merrill: and five great grandchildren; Brittany Haynes, Garrett Haynes, Kennedy Snowden, Sam Snowden and Brendan Merrill. Wade Family Funeral Home (817) 274-9233