Jean Esther Destefano Merriman, of Vero Beach, recently passed away in the presence of her loving children, Sherri Lynn McDonough Sproch and Wayne R. McDonough.
She is survived by her children, Sherri, a prominent businesswoman (previous owner of Sherri’s Floral Shoppe) and Realtor in Vero Beach and Sebastian; Wayne, an attorney, who moved to Florida upon his discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps after a combat tour of duty in Vietnam, and their loving spouses Bernie and Diana; and her sister, Gloria Duchin.
She was predeceased by her parents, husband Buddy, and six brothers and sisters.
She was born and raised in New York City. Her parents emigrated from their birthplace, Calabria, Italy, arriving at Ellis Island in the early 1900s. Her parents were proud Americans, respectful, with a strong work ethic passed onto their children and grandchildren.
Merriman was editor of her high school yearbook, voted most athletic, most attractive, best dancer and most likely to succeed. She was a professional model and crowned Ms. Yonkers.
She married her teenage sweetheart, Stanley William McDonough, after his return from the South Pacific serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Thereafter, the family moved to Texas where Wayne was raised and Sherri was born.
Merriman owned and managed upscale women’s retail clothing shops in New York City, Dallas and Vero Beach. She was determined, passionate and possessed an inherent sense of fairness and compassion. She loved music, dancing, shopping, cooking, tennis, gardening and her family and pets. Of all her talents and accomplishments, her greatest joy was raising, loving, and supporting her children. Her love and devotion for her children was exceeded only by their love for her.
There will be a private family gathering honoring and celebrating her life.