Cresente Rose Pantazes Merrill Obituary (1923 - 2011)

Our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend passed away peacefully Friday April 29th, 2011 in Salt Lake City, Utah with her family at her side. She was born May 16th, 1923 in Jewell, Colorado, the eldest daughter of Stamatis Anastasios (Pete) Pantazes and Benedita Romana Martinez. Music, dancing, her children, her 14 grandchildren and her three great-grandchildren were her life. She taught us to love and appreciate everything beautiful. Always an early riser, she looked forward to each new day. An accomplished artist, she was gifted in window fashion display for Kress, May's, Daniels & Fisher and Keith O'Brien, where she was also a sought-after retail sales associate. She managed the Saint Paul Paraclete Gift Shop in Salt Lake City, Utah for many years. She married Douglas M. Merrill in Denver, Colorado on September 2, 1951 (later divorced). She is survived by her children: Linda Rose Erickson, Denver; Richard Steven Merrill (Paula), Salt Lake City, Utah; Leslie Douglas Merrill (Julie), Bountiful, Utah; William Thomas Merrill (Kym), Tomball, Texas; as well as her brothers and sisters Mary Pantazes (Aguilar, CO), Violet Carlin (Anaheim, California) Mr. and Mrs. George Pantazes (Aguilar, CO) Mr. and Mrs. James Pantazes (Denver, CO) Thomas Pantazes (Aguilar, CO) Mr. and Mrs. William Pantazes (Trinidad, CO) and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, sister Elaine Gusman (Bob), brothers Anastasios (died in infancy) and Nicholas Pantazes (Patricia) and special angel Frances Martinez. The family would like to thank the staff of Holladay Healthcare and Hospice for Utah for their dedication and assistance for the past few years. Services: Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Aguilar, Colorado. Prayer Vigil will be held at 7:00 pm, Friday, May 13th, 2011. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am, Saturday, May 14th 2011. Interment: Saint Anthony's Cemetery, Aguilar, Colorado. Funeral services and preparation under the direction of Jenkins-Soffe, Salt Lake City, Utah and Comi Funeral Home, Trinidad, Colorado.