Merle D. Southall

Merle D. Southall, age 73, died peacefully on November 4, 2011 at her home after an extended illness. She was born on July 11, 1938 in Sydney, Australia; the daughter of George and Ruby Kendall. She was educated in Australia and graduated from a Dominican Convent School. After graduation, Merle moved to London, England and in 1962 began working as a stewardess for British Overseas Airways Corp. She traveled the world with the airline and experienced many different cultures in her travels. Her ability to speak both German and Spanish was of great help in her profession. In 1969 she married Anthony C. Southall in London. At the time stewardess' were not allowed to be married, so her career ended soon after the wedding. The young couple moved to Western Canada and in 1974 they moved again, this time to Grosse Pointe Woods where Dr. Southall began working at St. John Hospital in Detroit. Merle loved to play tennis, a trait she inherited from her father who was a renowned tennis champion in Australia. The Southall's were members of Lochmoor Club where Merle was an avid tennis player. She was an accomplished classical pianist and loved her dogs, both black and yellow Labrador Retrievers. She was a proficient gardener and tended her roses beds at home in Grosse Pointe Farms and at their home in Shanty Creek. Mrs. Southall was involved in the theater in London and also the Grosse Pointe Theater. She volunteered at Grosse Pointe University Liggett School in their "Great Books" reading program. She was raised around horses as a child and enjoyed their company still. Merle was known as a gregarious hostess and enjoyed entertaining at their home. Most notably, she was a generous, sensitive, elegant lady who made lasting friendships across the world. Merle is survived by her husband of 42 years, Anthony C. Southall, M.D.; her son John C. Southall, M.D. and his wife, Krista; her grandson, Soren; and her brother, Dr. John Kendall and his wife Karin and their sons, Jason and Justin. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday and 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Monday at the A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Avenue at Vernier Road in Grosse Pointe Woods. A scripture service will be held at 7 o'clock Sunday evening. Mrs. Southall's body will lie instate at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church, 157 Lakeshore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms from 9:30 a.m. Tuesday until time of mass at 10:00 a.m.. Rev. Fr. John Wynnycky will officiate. The Southall family has requested memorial donations be made to the St. John Hospice, c/o St. John Providence Foundation, P.O. Box 673271; Detroit, Michigan 48267-3271.

Funeral Home:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe

20705 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236