Merlina Jelinic

Merlina Jelinic, a cherished and selfless individual, passed away on February 4, 2026, at the age of 61. Born on July 10, 1964, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Merlina dedicated her life to compassion and service.

Merlina was a devoted wife to Zeljko and a loving mother to Marko and Darko. She was also a beloved daughter to Mirsada and the late Refik, and sister to Benjamin and his wife Snjezana. The family survived the Bosnian war in 1992, fled to Germany, and later settled in Houston, Texas, where they built their life from the ground up.

Professionally, Merlina devoted herself as a Lead Care Associate/Care Giver at Brookdale Spring Shadows, where her faithful and compassionate nature shone through. Her commitment to serving others was evident in every aspect of her career.

Merlina's personal life was filled with joy and laughter. She loved to relax on the beach with a cup of coffee, dance, cook, and spend time with her grandchildren. Her Croatian-inspired meals and delicious desserts were loved by many and will be missed immensely. Her grandchildren will forever cherish the Croatian lullabies she sang to them.

As a founding and long-term member of the Croatian club in Houston, Texas, Merlina was a talented dancer and a dedicated volunteer. Alongside Zeljko, she orchestrated numerous events for the Croatian community, leaving a lasting impact.

Merlina's enduring kindness, humor, and strength touched all who knew her. She was a deeply cherished grandmother to her four grandchildren, who were the light of her life. Her legacy of love, laughter, and warmth will be treasured forever.

Visitation will be held on February 21, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, located at 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077. A funeral service will follow from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the same location.

In the words of Merlina, “What to do.” Her loving personality, hilarious sense of humor, and kindness will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A visitation will be held at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, located at 12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX, on February 21, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

The funeral service will follow at the same venue from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.