Mrs. Irene Muller Merrick

Irene Muller Merrick, 102, of Seabrook Village, Tinton Falls, passed away on March 8, 2021. She was born in Amsterdam, Holland, during a worldwide pandemic, and moved to the US with her family in 1921. She lived in Staten Island and Shrewsbury before moving to Tinton Falls in 1999. She graduated from Curtis High School, Staten Island in 1935 and continued her schooling at Hunter College, Bronx, NY for 2 years and Washington School for Secretaries, (NY Branch) graduating in 1938 with degree in Secretarial Sciences and also attended the Management Institute - NYU. She was retired as an Executive Secretary employed by the Walworth Company - 21 years (manufacturer of industrial valves and fittings) originally working as a summer replacement for secretaries eventually working her way up to secretary to two company Presidents, before being promoted to Supervisor of Secretaries. She also worked for the Black Clawson Company - privately held company - 10 years as Executive secretary to Chief Executive Officer. Irene married Robert Briggs Merrick on Nov 30, 1968 at the Molly Pitcher Inn, Red Bank, NJ. They were married for 13 years before Robert's passing in 1982. Irene was one of the original residents of Seabrook, known as a "Pioneer" and was selected to be a "Seabrook Ambassador". During her time there she enjoyed volunteering and participating in the walking and fitness groups before moving to assisted living. For some time, a Seabrook billboard ad displayed on Route 35 in Ocean Twp. showed Irene enjoying her time in the pool. She was also a member of the Shrewsbury Senior Homesteaders as well as a member of the Friends of the Parks, Monmouth County Parks System. She played the piano accordion, studying at the Wurlitzer School of Music and played in 24-piece accordion band. Irene studied Ballroom dancing at the Fred Astaire Studio and studied Seamanship/navigation with Staten Island Power Squadron. She enjoyed traveling, reading, and completing NY-Times crossword puzzles as well. Irene was pre-deceased by her father Waldemar Muller, her mother Kaethe (Wingert) Muller, her husband, Robert Briggs Merrick, her brother Ragnwald Muller, and her sister Sonja Landvogt. She is survived by 2 Step-Daughters: Barbara (Merrick) Johnson (Richard) of Toms River, NJ, Nancy (Merrick) Nazaroff (Edwin Vaeni) of Peabody, MA, 5 Step-grandchildren: Lori (Johnson) Cushing (Daniel) of S. Toms River, NJ, Kari Johnson (Dennis Jiosne, Jr.) of Keyport, NJ, Erik Johnson (Bridget) of Jackson, NJ, Tracy (Nazaroff) Vandermerwe (Rocco) of East Kingston, New Hampshire, Kelley (Nazaroff) Busenitz of Georgetown, Colorado, 9 Step-great-grandchildren: Kaitlin, Emily, and Luke Cushing, Dylan and Paityn Johnson, Nicholas and Emma Vandermerwe, Gavin Busenitz and Baby J due in October. Irene will also be dearly missed by 6 nieces and nephews along with 9 grand-nieces and -nephews and 5 great-nieces and -nephews: Nephew: Thomas Landvogt (Lola) of Williamsburg, VA, grandnephew: Chapin D. Landvogt (Julia) (Germany) great-nephew Paul and great-niece Theda Landvogt, grandniece: Lindsay (Landvogt) Leahy (Michael), great-nieces: Grace and Catherine Leahy, Niece: Kathleen (Landvogt) Erhart of Williamsburg, VA, grandniece: Erica Meehan (Daniel) of Lansdale, PA, great-nieces Caitlin and Norah, great-nephew Ryan, Niece: Barbara (Landvogt) Bonney of Dingman's Ferry, PA, grandniece Jennifer (Bonney) Politi (John) of Carmel, NY, great-nephews Justin and Joseph Politi, grandniece Katherine Bonney of Hopewell Junction, NY, great-nieces Madison and Ava Garcia, Niece: Carol Muller (Al Henning) of Palo Alto, CA, grandniece Kaethe Henning of Seattle, WA, grandnephew Scott Henning of San Francisco, CA, Nephew: James Muller (Judith) of Anchorage, AK, grandniece Helen Irene Muller of Anchorage, AK, Nephew: William Muller (Jennifer) of Falmouth, Maine, grandnephew Zachary Muller of Carrabassett Valley, Maine. The funeral service will be scheduled at a later date due to the pandemic. Friends and family are invited to leave a memory or condolence online at www.elyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Irene's name to a charity of your choice. To send a memorial gift to the family of Mrs. Irene Muller Merrick please visit our Sympathy Store.