Merrilyn Thompson Stanbro

Merrilyn Elnora Thompson Stanbro was born in Kent Ohio on September 11, 1931 ( parents: Merrill Thompson and Elnora C Thompson) and passed away in Monroe NC on June 28th, 2023.

She grew up in Kent Ohio. Even in her later years with dementia she could remember living in Kent, being part of that close-knit community and working the soda fountain in her father’s drugstore (Thompson’s). She graduated from Miami University in Oxford Ohio and went on to work as a laboratory technologist at University Hospitals in Cleveland. In Cleveland she met Frederick Stanbro and they married in 1957. Two years later, their daughter, Elizabeth Cameron Stanbro was born. In 1961, their son, Frederick Reed Stanbro was born. The family lived for many years in Mentor Ohio where Merrilyn was active in her church (St. Andrews Episcopal) on the altar guild and in the quilter’s group. She was a master quilter both technically and artistically, combining patterns and color with great skill, and left many treasured quilts for her family. She was also a volunteer at the Holden Arboretum making jellies they sold in the gift shop. For 15 years Merrilyn worked in the lab at Lake County Hospitals, retiring in 1994 to devote her time to travel, family, friends and her quilting.

She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Stanbro of Colorado Springs, her son, Reed Stanbro of Charlotte NC, her grandchildren: Celeste Edwards, Noah Burnham, Grace Jones, Maggie Thuan, step grandson, Mike Stacey, and great grandchildren: Clifton Jones and Nora Jones.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Mentor Public Library,

The Holden Arboretum,

The Lake Humane Society,

Or this program for people with dementia, Opening Minds Through Art, developed at Merrilyn’s alma mater: ScrippsOMA@MiamiOH.edu

Phone: 513.529.2914

Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com

Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Ave, Monroe, NC 28112 is caring for the Stanbro Family.