Merle Louise Thomas

Merle Thomas (née Montgomery), of Parksville, B.C., was born to Howard and Joyce Montgomery on February 18, 1948, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. With courage and dignity, and with her family by her side, Merle chose to end her life on her own terms October 3, 2025, following a long and determined battle with COPD.

Merle grew up in Saskatoon, attending Churchill Elementary School and Aden Bowman Collegiate. She met her beloved husband, Joe, in 1967 and they began their family shortly thereafter. Merle worked for many years as a medical receptionist at The Community Clinic in Saskatoon, later semi-retiring to Victoria, B.C., where she continued her caring work at the James Bay Health Clinic.

In 2005, Merle and Joe relocated to the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area to fully enjoy their retirement in this beautiful community.

She is survived by her three children: Owen and Lori (Dubai, UAE), Jeff and Krista (Vancouver, BC.), and Joanne and Micheal (Kemptville, ON.). She was also a proud grandmother to six grandchildren: Piercson (Andrea), Chalen, Sophia, Mitchell, Ashton, and Kira. Merle is also survived by her sister-in-law Gail.

Merle was predeceased by her husband Joe in 2009, her parents Howard (Monty) and Joyce, her sister Barb, and her brother Kirk.

In honoring Merle’s wishes, there will be no service. A small family remembrance and interment of her ashes will take place in Parksville at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider taking your family or friends out for a nice dinner and enjoying their company—just as Merle so often did.

I’M FREE

Don’t grieve for me, from pain I’m free.

I’m following the path God laid, you see.

I took His hand when I heard His call.

I turned around and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play

Tasks left undone must stay that way,

I found the peace on a sunny day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joys.

A family shared, a, laugh, a kiss,

Oh yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I’ve savoured much,

Good family, good friends, good times,

A loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts, and peace to thee.

God wanted me now; from pain I’m free.

Author unknown