Susan Blanche Merrill

Susan Blanche Merrill (Crumly) passed away in Visalia, California on March 30, 2026 after a brief period of illness. Susan is survived by her children & their spouses, Brian Robinett (Eileen) & Kent Robinett (Renee), her grandchildren, Hailey, Shelby, Trent, Jesse & Ian, and her sister Sally Akin & her children, Melissa Davis (Jeff), Jenny Dunn, John Akin (Lori) & Jeff Akin (Becky) & their children. Susan was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Arthur Merrill.

A native of California, Susan was born August 14, 1942 to Ione Homer Waterman Crumly in Pomona. Ione, Sally and Susan moved to Visalia in 1944, where Susan lived for much of her life. Susan was close with her mother, her sister and her mother’s extended family. She was a “Worthy Advisor” of the Order of Rainbow for Girls through the Visalia Masonic Temple, Treasurer of her high school class, President of her high school’s California Scholarship Federation chapter & Homecoming Queen. Susan graduated from Redwood High School in 1960, from College of Sequoias with honors in 1962, and briefly attended both Cal Poly San Luis Obispo & Stanford University, before ultimately graduating from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science in 1974.

Susan was an accomplished student, and she received many academic honors. She excelled at math and had a long & distinguished career as an accountant, serving in various auditor/controller positions for city & county offices within California. Susan was a trail blazer in pursuing a degree in accounting and working as an auditor/controller at a time when there were not a lot of women who held these positions. She was smart, tough & confident and built a legendary reputation as a talented controller.

Susan’s family remember with fondness her service as Miss Tulare County in 1961. During her year in that role, she dedicated both the Success & Terminus dams, participated in the Miss California pageant & met with the crew of the USS Tulare while it was stationed in San Diego.

Susan was athletic throughout her life, especially enjoying hiking and skiing. She loved the Mineral King Valley, where her family has had a cabin since the early 1930s. She spent many happy days there over the years, including many backpacking trips and a few to the top of Mt. Whitney. She cherished the summers in her youth with cousins Marilyn Dickey and Ken Hulick, known as the “Triple Treasure,” exploring the Sierras. She gave back to the Silver City community that she so loved by serving on the Silver City Board for many years.

Susan pursued her love of nature in many ways, including recognition as a Master Gardener & cultivating a walnut orchard. She was passionate about wildflowers & taught her children, grandchildren, nieces & nephews all about California native plants. Susan generously shared her love of hiking & the outdoors with her family, and her passion for nature has inspired each of her children and grandchildren in their own devotions to the outside world. A part of Susan will always be with her family through these lessons.

Susan also traveled extensively & enjoyed collecting art from her journeys. Over the years, Susan along with friends and family, especially her husband Art and friend Connie Phelps, visited many locations including New Zealand, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Machu Pichu, Egypt and the Himalayas.

Susan enjoyed spending time with others throughout her life and was a loving, fun and outgoing person. Her family fondly remembers her love of meeting, greeting & chatting with residents of and visitors to Silver City. She was quick to share a smile, a wave or a conversation with friends, neighbors & strangers.

Susan was a devoted mother & grandmother. She shared her work ethic, love of family and nature & value of community involvement with her boys. She was devoted to supporting the athletic, artistic & academic pursuits of her children and grandchildren over the years and looked forward to cheering them on at sporting events, plays, musical performances, graduations & other celebrations. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her, especially her family.

There will be a Celebration of Life to remember Susan on Friday, April 24th beginning at 12 pm, at Woodlake Public Cemetery, 165 N. Cypress St., Woodlake, CA. A reception hosted by the family will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in her memory to the Mineral King Preservation Society, at www.mineralking.org.