Merrill Melvina Hibbert

Merrill passed away peacefully with family by her side at Vernon Jubilee Hospital on December 28, 2024.

She was born September 11, 1925 in Kamloops, BC to Bernice and Frank Smith. Her childhood memories were made in Kamloops and Sicamous.

Merrill joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service (W.R.E.N.S.) in 1943 where her service took her to Ottawa, Toronto, Halifax and New York. 

Upon her return to Kamloops, she took some time to decide whether to go into nursing or accounting. Nursing was the chosen path and she graduated as a Registered Nurse from St Joseph’s in Victoria in January 1954. She wrote her provincial licensing exam and finished 3rd highest in BC! Her nursing career began at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. 

Mum met Pat Hibbert on New Year’s Eve, 1954, at the Nurses’ Residence in Vernon. Mum and Dad married on May 26, 1956. Renting at Stepney near Armstrong they started dairy farming. In 1959 they bought their own farm on Deep Creek Rd. Merrill’s nursing skills spilled over into the animal kingdom to keep the veterinary calls to a minimum. Daughters Angela, Nairn and Leigh were born in the Armstrong Hospital. Their entrance into the farm workforce was an early one with Mum ensuring the household chores were attended to with the same work ethic that the farm chores demanded. It was a very sad day in August 1988 when the cows and quota were sold. Dad

bought a sailboat and convinced Merrill to take sailing lessons. Mum and Dad took up golfing in their retirement. They travelled to various parts of the world eventually becoming Snowbirds to El Centro, California for 14 years. After 43 years of living on the farm in Deep Creek, Merrill and Pat moved to Van Kleeck Ave in Armstrong to get serious about golfing!

Mum moved to Heaton Retirement Residence in 2019.

Merrill was also active in the Deep Creek community as well as with the Catholic Women’s League at St Joseph’s church in Armstrong serving a term as their President.

Merrill is survived by; daughters Angela (Rick Calkins); Nairn(Peter von Hahn) and their family Elli (Chris), Micky (Bri), Natalie (Drew; Derek), Hannah (Steve; Linden) and Rachel(Joe); Leigh (John Trainor) and their family Drew (Olive; Waylon and Townes), Lindsay (Dustin; Sullivan, Raenna, Mica) and Michelle (Steve).

Also her sister Niki (Denis)and family, brother Read (Lorena) and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Merrill was predeceased by Pat in 2013, sisters Ada, Corrinne and Ann and brother Kermit.

Merrill’s family would like to thank the staff and residents in Heaton Retirement Residence in Armstrong for their friendship and compassionate care.

A Celebration of Merrill’s life will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Cypress Funeral Home in Armstrong. 

To view the live stream of the service, please click the following link: https://livestream.cypressfuneral.ca/

Donations in memory of Merrill could be made to charities of choice including Cancer, Salvation Army and BC SPCA.

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-546-7237

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: