Shirley Marie Merlo

Shirley was born in Detroit, Michigan. She and her husband-to-be, Robert Merlo, attended Saint Catherine’s High School together. Shirley was an honors graduate from the University of Detroit while majoring in chemistry. After graduating, she worked for Park Davis, Inc. as a chemist until the first of her four boys arrived.

Shirley and Bob raised their children in Detroit and then settled in Raleigh, North Carolina. Together they enjoyed traveling, especially driving trips with their pop-up trailer. Shirley was very proud to say she visited every national park in the United States.

Shirley and Bob were married for 62 years until his passing in 2012. She was an active member of St. Raphael Catholic Church, played bridge with friends and enjoyed volunteering. During her last year she worked with young students at The Jordan Child & Family Enrichment Center.

Shirley is survived by her four sons, three daughters-in-law, four granddaughters and one great-granddaughter, whom she met for the first time several weeks before her passing.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 20th at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 5801 Falls of Neuse Road, at 1:00 pm. Her family will receive friends at the church from 12:00-1:00 pm, at the church.