Mrs. Merriel Elizabeth Palmer Mansfield

in Freeland PEI. She is the daughter of Robert Harold Palmer and

Evangeline Mae Bryan. She joined her older brother Allan in the farm

house where they were born and raised, later to be joined by sister Janet

and younger brothers Herman and William (Bill).

Merriel did her nursing training in PEI where she formed many strong and

life long friendships and still looks forward to getting together with these women.

Love can’t be defined but must be experienced, that was true for Merriel

and on July 7th 1962 she married Paul Arthur Mansfield in a tiny white

romantic church near her childhood home. Although Merriel disliked

conflict she did not take flight from discord but rather sought to preserve harmony even during the most trying times. Although Paul and Merriel eventually divorced in 1997 they remained committed partners in

parenting their three children and remain friends.

Merriel had three very different children, Tony the sociable athlete, Carla the dramatic daydreamer and Jason the creative artist . Although her children were all so different Merriel mothered them equally, yet let all their personalities flourish. I think of all my mother’s accomplishments in life, and there are many, her mothering and taking care of her family is the one that she excels at the most.

Merriel was beginning to feel a little cheated that her brother Allan was ahead of her in the grandchildren department so it was with great joy when she became a grandmother for the first time with the birth of Tyler Paul Patterson. Two years later Tyler’s sister Ryann Elizabeth joined the family and Merriel was closing the gap on Allan. Then in October 2004 Tony and Tammy delivered the tie with the birth of twins Owen Paul Mansfield and Myles Keith Mansfield. And just when she thought she couldn’t ask for anything more, the news arrived that Jason and Dee are expecting her fifth grandchild in the fall of 2008!

Merriel retired to the island of her birth settling in Summerside. During her retirement she has met new friends and kept up with old friends. Merriel has worked hard to keep up with people over the years, and is truly one of the most honest and loyal friends one could ever ask for in life. Just try getting her on the phone...it is usually busy! Merriel keeps her days filled with her exercise, reading, entertaining, being entertained and of course "The Young and the Restless".

My mom always put Smarties on our birthday cakes, and this summer it

will be our honour to decorate her cake . If we could decorate it with

diamonds and gold we would as she deserves it but Smarties will have to

do. Please know mom that it is decorated with love and gratitude for all

that you've done and all that you do. Happy 70th Birthday!