My great-aunt Merle Payne: 1915 - 2013

We'd traditionally have a corned beef &cabbage birthday dinner for Merle

As I heard the word that my great-aunt Merle had passed away, I glanced at the calendar and noted the irony that she died on the Presidential Inauguration Day (January 20th, 2013). My great-aunt Merle had a fondness for politics and especially the Republican Party. Nearly a year ago, my aunt Merle held my hand and said, “I voted for you.” Of the 401 votes I received, I’m most proud of the support from my 97 year old, great-aunt, Merle Payne, who was the long-time deputy county clerk in Delta. She always said she hoped to live long enough to see me elected to a public office, and she did!

check from the sale of home

The last few years has been tough, you never want to see those you love have to move into the ‘old folks home.’ I recall after her home on 650 Dodge Street was sold my mom and I took the check up for her to see. She remarked that in all her years she never imagined holding such a large amount.

Whilst Michael and I would play card with aunts Clara and Thelma, dominos with aunt Marjorie, and we would often times visit aunts Merle and Mabel on Saturday nights at the old Delta Hospital, where they were ‘Pink Ladying.’ Aunt Merle having been the expert at managing books ran the gift shop. A highlight was visiting her, as she would buy us a Hershey’s chocolate bar and then we’d all go down to the cafeteria for supper. Our aunts definitely spoiled my brother and me, but they also instilled in us a sense of volunteerism and supporting our home town.

My aunt Merle was also a prize fighter. One of the funniest stories involving my aunt Merle took place not long after she had taken up residence at Horizons Nursing Home. A nurse was insisting that my aunt Merle do something she didn't want to do. So, my 95 year old aunt gave the nurse a right-hook, breaking the nurse’s nose. Upon returning home for summer break from law school, my aunt Merle assured me once again she was glad to know there would be a lawyer in the family. It was my aunt Merle’s dry sense of humour that would catch you if you weren't quite paying attention.

Cats were my aunt Merle’s favourite creatures. She had two calico cats that were sisters. They lived to be 20+ years old, which is phenomenal for cats. Occasionally I’d be at her house and notice a stray grey cat would sneak in. My aunt Merle would put down some extra cat food and feed the extra mouth until her cats began complaining, then the stray would be evicted out the back door.

It is odd what you remember about a person you’re close to, for me, I remember the way my aunt Merle sat whilst reading. She would have her left leg curled back and her right on top. At a glance she didn't look comfortable, but Michael and I emulated and it’s actually not half-bad.

I can’t really remember my aunt Merle driving, but I do remember her car, it was an old Rambler. She mentioned her car from time to time, but I'm not certain how much she actually drove.

My aunt Merle thought a lot of me, as I was born just a few days after her husband Phil passed away in July 1984. I would grow-up with similar interests in geology, numismatology, and philately. She would save ‘wheat-pennies’ she would find in her change for me.

Aunt Merle was not a very talkative person; she was on the other hand a very good listener. She loved having people come by and visit her and would often times offer a glass of iced-tea in the summer or hot tea in the winter. It is ironic, as when she discovered mochas and cappuccinos, she was forever hooked. After her sight was claimed by macular degeneration, my aunt Merle took to listening to audio books. Several hundred books later, she had listed to Delta library’s entire collection. I can’t fully recall what she read when she could see, but I believe her favourite audio books concerned the cowboys and the American West. 

Aunt Merle with her Colorado flag

For my aunt Merle’s 90th birthday I requested the Colorado flag flown over the State Capitol to be flown in her honour. The governor at the time signed the order and our State Senator who upon hearing it was for an old friend, raised it up the pole himself (I think he was nearly the same age as aunt Merle). This was a testament to how well liked aunt Merle was by those she had worked with in her time as Deputy County Clerk. She knew the laws and ran the office so well that she is the only Deputy County Clerk to have held that position for multiple clerks and of differing political parties. This past summer my aunt Merle’s attention perked when she heard me utter the words Election Day.

After retiring, my aunt Merle was active in the “T and R Club”, which stood for “Tired and retired”. I think she was one of the charter members, but even if she wasn't  she had been involved long enough to have been. She and my aunt Mabel would organize luncheons usually at the Sundance with a programme, treats and a poem. The organization still exists and invited me last summer to talk about Scotland and being the youngest councilman in Orchard City. When my aunt Mabel and aunt Merle were involved, they’d many times call on family to talk about a holiday to an exciting place in the world, a degree recently completed, or anything that was well thought out and of interest to a group of retired ladies.

Friday nights were always exciting growing up, as often time Michael and I would venture over to one of our aunt’s homes for the “Friday night get to gather”. Our aunts would begin the Sabbath together and listen to a sermon, play a Bible game, and emphasise the importance of being a family in Christ and consanguinity. Our aunts would always have a dessert with a cuppa tea. Each one liked their tea slightly different. Aunt Marjorie preferred hot water with a tea bag waved above the rising steam. Aunt Mabel likes her tea with the bag in and out just for colour. Aunt Clara could use aunt Mabel’s tea bag and aunt Thelma liked her tea about like the British do – strong, but not bitter. Aunt Merle usually left her tea bag in the cup. I tried to convince them to try tea with milk, but my aunts always rejected that offer, along with any suggestions to move to any brand besides Lipton’s.

My Great-Aunts Marjorie, Mabel, Merle, Clara and me

A fortnight ago I had my final conversation with aunt Merle. I had mentally prepared myself that she might not wake up, or even know who it was talking to her. To my surprise she spoke. She thanked me for coming to visit, and then proceeded to ask if I had gotten a good night’s rest the night before. I told her I loved her and she acknowledged this and said how grateful she was to have me come and visit.

While aunt Merle didn't quite achieve her goal of seeing age 100, nearly 98 years old is not half bad. I would not have wanted her to continue in the condition she was in, as that is no way to live. Yet she died peacefully, without a struggle or stress, she is sleeping now.

* Read by Betty Soper at Merle Payne's funeral in Delta, Colorado on  23 January 2013.