Merriam Rae Sukiennik, loving wife, mother and grandmother, died on Nov. 19 in Kansas City after a valiant fight with cancer.
Merriam was born on Dec. 18, 1948, at St. Joseph Hospital in Kansas City.
She attended Paseo High School, graduating in 1966. Not long after graduation, she met Abe Sukiennik. They were married in 1969 and later had two daughters.
Merriam was preceded in death by her parents, Rubin and Sylvia Baellow.
Survivors include her husband, Abe; daughters, Tammy Sukiennik (Kevin Gilpin) and Robin Pierce (Andy); grandchildren, McKenzie Dixon and Skylar Pierce; sister, Harla Loving; brother, David Baellow; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Anyone who ever crossed paths with Merriam would describe her with the same word: caring.
“She was always the first one there to help with anything,” said her big sister, Harla Loving. “She always put others before herself.”
That selfless characteristic was always on display at the Jewish Community Center, where she worked for three decades in the early child development center. And it extended to her family and friends.
“She took care of a lot of people,” Harla said.
Memorial services were held on Nov. 21 at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer and Freeman Funeral Home. Shiva followed at the home of Shawn and Rachael Mueller.
