'On June 21 I was in South Florida and preparing to visit Merle in San Antonio, Texas. That visit was planned several months before, I felt I was going to help make the difference regarding that nagging pain in her neck. I had worn a neck brace with electrical impulses that worked. My niece had given me one filled with special seeds when I visited Anaheim, and she was a nurse practitioner! A chiropractor in Fort Lauderdale had administered massages and heated instruments over a period. Let us not mention the usual pain killers and ointments, bush teas and special pillows. My daughter Donna helped me to shop for cerasee teabags from Jamaica, and yellow yam. "Andy likes patties", Merle reminded me in her soft, melodious voice,"and don't forget his bulla cakes". Donna and Tony picked mangoes from their tree, and carefully wrapped and packaged them for Merle. The fruit were the biggest and best quality. "What else do you need Merle? remember you can't access Jamaican foods up there". "Oh Dell, don't worry yourself. You're bringing so much already!" I arrived on the 23rd after changing planes in Houston. On the 24th I made my acquaintance with real deer in Timberwood Park, a beautiful and cool place for Merle to retire. Soon Pat, one of her many good friends, arrived to convey her to a nearby Care Centre for neck therapy, and by the 26th I was driving the car she was unable to handle because of the pain. However she was still able to smile and encourage me, the visitor who did not think I could drive on Rte. 281. At North Hills Methodist, she joined her Mexican-domino group for lunch and healthy banter. Donna R. drove us to a Women's Union brunch. Pat and Donna are real Christian sisters who cared and encouraged Merle, no doubt for her grace, warmth and peaceful demeanour. Rest in peace, from Cordella, Gillian, Donna, Arlene & Horace.'

' Ms Merle Aitken was my mentor , my friend , my confident, my teacher . I truly love you Ms .Aitken and I will always remember the humble and precious time I spent with you and Andy in your home in Bath, St Thomas and in Stony Hill. Jamaica WI .I will truly miss you Ms Aitken. Thank you for all the good times , your caring and intellectual ability that you demonstrated in my up bringing as a teenager . Ms .Aitken I will never forget you . ( I am so sad right now). Thanks for teaching me how to bake a pound cake and how to set a dinning table in your home economics class at Oberlin High School . May you rest in peace.......Love always ..Prudence - New York'

'Merle, we'll not forget your smile and that unique laugh.We'll always remember the quiet demeanor, the encouragement and motivation you gave.The tour of the Bahamas didn't mature but God knows best.Andy we'll miss your mom, you and the family are in our prayers.God Bless you Merle, may you rest in peace.'

'Merle, you stood in the center of a circle of friends, for we're too many to stand on a line. 
Who'd claim to be first....second....Nth..._students of all ages, adults of many cultures and countries, 
all have been touched by the essence of your friendship. 
Yes Merle, you had your friends on a circle, while you in the center smiled. 
You gave your sweet nearness to each and all. 
You left us before we suspected you would, 
Gone ahead to await us. 
But the memory of the friendship you shared, 
Will unite us in person or in spirit always. 
R.I.P. Merle.'

'I met momma Merle in Belgium in 1990 when she came for the birth of her precious grandson, Anthony. I loved the way she said his name in her strong Jamaican accent. Her warm smile and genuine heart made you want to be around her, listem to her maternal advice and love her. She was a giver, a doer and a thinker. She cherished life and all that it had to offer. A woman who never forgot those who made her smile and returned the gesture with love and kindness.

'MS. Aitken, 
May God bless you and raise you to the Heavens where you belong. Shanon and I were blessed to have met you. We truly will miss you. We thank you for having such a great son, daughter- in-law and grandson. We have your memories to hang on to and pictures to remind us how wonderful you are. 
Kearne, Crystal and Kearne Jr. please accept our condolences for the loss of your mother and grandmother. She may be gone, but she is alive inside of you. We wish we could be there to comfort you and support you through these times. Soon we will be together to celebrate the life of Ms. Aitken and pass on our thoughts and prayers as she rest in peace. We love you guys and always will remember MS. Aitken for what she has left us, you three, who are very special to us.

'It's been a pleasure knowing you Merle over the years both in Andros and Nassau. In Andros we shared the same "mother" Mimie, our mother away from home. We had a few conversation on your last visit to Nassau, but missed getting together. My condolences go out to your son and other family members. Rest in peace my friend. 
Ann Rolle 
Nassau, Bahamas, Nov 04, 2015'

'Merle my cousin, we grew up in Jamaica. She was the only one of the family left who I could call to refresh my memory of a family member who have gone on. I am deeply saddened and will miss the joy of our communications. To Andy and family my heart goes out to you in time of sorrow. May God provide you with enough strength to face these difficult times, although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer. 
Vincent and family, Houston. Nov. 04, 2015'

' I will miss hearing you laughing about the ram goat Christmas card. What fun we had in Nassau that Christmas.I know that Erna is going to miss having you around.Sleep on Merle. Take your long rest. We will meet again.Andy and family please accept my sympathy. 
Fee'

'Merle I am glad I was able to meet you for the first time last Christmas. You made my trip to the Bahamas so much more enjoyable. Thanks for being such a dear friend to Erna. I will miss our phone calls.Rest in the arms of Jesus. 
Sissy'

'Merle how can we forget the many happy times we share together especially at the various social events at Christmas time when you visit us. We really enjoyed your warmth and friendship, your coming to midnight mass at Christmas, night services and bible study, We will miss you dear friend but we are confident that you are safe in the arms of Jesus. Rest in peace friend. Sincere sympathy to Andy, Crystal,Anthony and Kearne J 
From, Millie, Colin Camille, Dwayne and Trey'

'Very tender & loving Aunt to me ! 
-Patrice, Wash., DC & Old Stony Hill, JA'

'Merle was a true friend and part of our family. For all the years I knew her she was loved by all who she came in contact with. I will miss our conversation , laughter and love. keep strong Andy and family. We will always be there for you all. Love. Esmie'

'I lost my mother, Cynthia Smith on 9/23 from stomach cancer. She was diagnosed and departed this Earth three weeks later. Merle, my mother and I lived on the same apartment building in The Bahamas. I feel your pain as I grieve daily for my own mother. May God bless your family and may Merle rest in peace.'

'Merlie, you have been a most loving and caring friend for the many years we have known you and that's over 40 yrs. I never thought our chat few week ago was our last chat. We will forever cherish your last visit to our home and our years of friendship. Andy, we are here for you and your family. Your mother was a bundle of love to all who came in her path. Our love and prayers are with you. May her soul rest in peace O God and may light perpetual shine upon her.'

'Merle I will always remember your cheerful smile and encouraging words. I will miss you dearly but there is the consolation that friends will meet again. Rest in the loving arms of our dear savior. 
 Daisy Pinto Nassau, Bahamas'

'Merle you will never be forgotten. For all the joys we shared at Oberlin. My condolences to Andy and fam ily. May your soul rest in peace and light perpetually shine on your sweet soul. Maisie Rowe. Stony Hill Jamaica'

'Our years of friendship will forever be in my thoughts. The memories of the happy, challenging and sad times will give me the strength to bear your loss.Our friendship transcends all boundaries and I will really miss you.Sleep on my friend. I love you but God loves you more. Erna'

OBITUARY

Merle E. Aitken-Grant

March 24, 1932 – October 27, 2015

Porter Loring Mortuary - McCullough

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services