November 13, 1921 - October 05, 2017
Alice Merrill O'Brien Obituary
Spokane lost a beautiful and accomplished woman when Alice passed away on October 5, 2017. She was born November 13, 1921 in Skiatook, Oklahoma to Dr. Leo A. and Alice Merrill Walton O'Brien. Her father passed away in 1925 and she, her mother and her sister Kathryn moved to Tulsa. She received her B.A. in English from the University of Tulsa, with minors in History and Education. She was hired by a McGraw-Hill Publications Company, National Petroleum News, in New York City and became their Southeast Editor. She changed her byline in the magazine to Merrill O'Brien, to gain more credibility in a primarily man's field at the time. She was a news reporter for Platt's Oilgram News Service, National Petroleum News, NPN Bulletin, Jobber and C-Store Trends and was a price reporter for Platt's Oilgram Price Report (midcontinent) and Jobber and C-Store Trends (Southeast). Merrill traveled widely, interviewing jobbers in the industry, and won awards in Jesse H. Neal and Industrial Marketing competitions. She wrote free-lance articles for the Christian Science Monitor and Elks Club Magazine, and did free-lance photography. She was a member of the Overseas Press Club of America and a past member of their Board of Governors; past Chairman of McGraw-Hill Publications Copy Editors' Committee. She also was a volunteer teacher of English at American Council for Emigres in the Professions. After she retired she moved to Spokane in 2010 to Rockwood Retirement Communities at The Ridge, to be near her niece and her husband, Susan and Paul Kennedy. She had visited them annually prior to moving, and had made many friends here, becoming everyone's "Aunt Alice" until she moved to Rockwood where she preferred to be called Merrill. Everyone who met her loved her, for her wonderful sense of humor, interesting stories, her depth of knowledge and kind and caring manner. She has been called "New York stylish" and was known for her hats, particularly the red one. She will be greatly missed by many friends both here and over many parts of the world. She had attended concerts, plays and museums as she travelled widely in the U.S., Europe, South America, British Isles, and New Zealand, and was so pleased to find the quality of art, music, and theater in Spokane. She was thrilled to be able to sponsor Symphony concerts and attend so many cultural events here and in Coeur d'Alene. She said she "retired to paint", and produced wonderful watercolors, some of which she sold in New York before she left. Merrill was also a volunteer for the Spokane Symphony Associates Ferden Chapter and for Rockwood Retirement Communities. She was a member of the Spokane Garden Club and PEO Chapter R. The family wants to especially thank Rockwood South Hill, Hospice of Spokane, Providence Sacred Heart Hospital, and Family Home Care for their compassionate care and help in her last hours. A Celebration of Life: "The Many Hats of Merrill O'Brien" will be held Saturday, November 11th at 1:30pm at the Rockwood South Hill Summit Event Center. The family suggests contributions to the Spokane Symphony, Hospice of Spokane, Rockwood Foundation Resident's Assistance or Employee Fund, or any other favorite charity in lieu of flowers or other gifts.