Merry Jayne Casillas

Merry Jayne Casillas was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, friend, performer, and one of the brightest lights in the lives of everyone who knew her. She unexpectedly passed away after a short illness on September 21, 2026. A lifelong resident of Arlington, Virginia, she was born on January 9, 1983. Merry spent her life surrounded by family and friends who adored her.

Merry was born with Down Syndrome and her extra chromosome was a spark of magic that made her extraordinary. She was a very proud member of the Down Syndrome community and was limitless in her pursuits and talents. To know Merry was to know someone who loved others completely and without reservation. She loved everyone. She loved her friends. She really loved her family. And she loved life.

Merry C, the actress, found tremendous joy on stage. She loved starring in plays in the ArtStream program, where she formed lifelong friendships with her castmates. Her family loved attending her performances (and usually took up much of the audience), watching her shine onstage and cheering loudly for their favorite star.

Merry loved to perform even when there wasn’t a stage. She loved dancing, singing, and karaoke. She loved playing games with her family and being part of whatever was happening around her. Regardless of the venue or setting, she was always cheered on by her biggest fans.

Merry loved her own admirers and loved being a fan herself, especially of these shows: Dancing with the Stars, Gilmore Girls, Friends, Pretty Little Liars, Les Miserables, Wicked, Six, Vampire Diaries, and Full House and most recently, New Girl. She most definitely did not love Anne of Green Gables—a fact her family will undoubtedly continue to laugh about for years to come.

Her favorite day of the year was her birthday - she planned it all year long (and yearned for a half-birthday celebration). She also loved Christmas Eve with Santa Ed and crushing it on Halloween with costumes made by a grumbling Jill.

Merry’s faith was a vital part of her life. She was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved her Savior. She was a vibrant and constant presence in her congregation, serving with children in nursery, as music committee member, greeter, activity days leader, camp counselor, Relief Society service committee member, and loud hymn singer every Sunday.

Merry loved her parents Ed and Jill. They loved her, advocated for her, cared for her, celebrated her, and gave her a life surrounded by family, friendship, faith, opportunity, and joy. Merry was lucky to have them, but they know they were the luckiest to have her.

Merry was loved fiercely by her six older siblings and she loved them right back. They were among her greatest supporters throughout her life. They made sure their children understood just how special Aunt Merry was - and how incredibly lucky they were to have her in their lives, even though it came naturally to all of them. As a result, Merry was never on the sidelines. She was right in the middle of it all, exactly where she belonged.

Perhaps no title brought Merry more joy than Aunt Merry. Merry loved her nieces and nephews beyond measure. She was a teenager at heart and wanted to be included in anything and everything they were doing. And they wanted her there. It would be difficult to imagine an aunt who was more adored, cherished, and genuinely treasured by her nieces and nephews than Merry was.

Merry leaves behind something much bigger than memories. She taught us all to love more freely. To include people. To be patient. To accept people exactly as they are. To be kind. To celebrate everyone we love loudly and often. She taught us that life is meant to be enjoyed—to sing the song, dance the dance, get on the stage, celebrate the birthday, play the game, and spend as much time as possible with the people you love. Most of all, Merry showed us what it looks like to love without holding anything back.

Merry is now in heaven and we know will be waiting to welcome home her loving parents, Ed and Jill; her siblings, Kasi (Bill), Conwey (Jessie), Jayne (Chris), Nico, Summer (Sean), and Sierra (Tom); her 22 beloved nieces and nephews and 20 great nieces and nephews; as well as countless other extended family members, friends, castmates, and others whose lives are better because Merry was part of them.

There will never be another Merry. And for everyone lucky enough to have known her, there will always be a little more love, laughter, music, dancing, and joy in the world because she was here.

For donations in Merry's loving memory can be made to: www.merrycasillasday