Merlin Percis Tiwari

TIWARI, Merlin P., 79, of Henrico, Va., passed away November 4, 2014. She was the widow of Dr. Christopher Maya; and was preceded in death by her parents, Singh and Angelina Benson; brother, Archie Benson (Elfrida); sister, Myrtle Gideon (Julius). She is survived by her son, Ajit Tiwari (Seema); sisters, Marjorie Gangwani (Victor) and Myra Lall (Ajit); grandchildren, Rajeev, Ashish and Rohit Tiwari.

Merlin was a former teacher in the Richmond area, was a Fulbright scholar in England in 1986. She was active in various charitable societies and was past president of the India Association of Virginia (three terms), as well as an active member and past president of the Virginia South Asian Christian Association. She was also a member of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, November 7, 2014, at the Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Rd. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 8, at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 9801 Fort King Dr., Henrico. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. at Forest Lawn. woodyfuneralhomeparham.com