Patricia M

Merriman

Patricia M. Merriman, née Hassett, passed away on November 13, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at Lightways Hospice Home in Joliet, IL. She was born on May 25, 1931, in Kankakee, IL.

She is survived by her children, Paula and Tony Loret de Mola, Michael and Amy Merriman, Jack and Anne Merriman, Cathie and David Rigazio, and Daniel and Christine Merriman. She also leaves a loving group of grandchildren: Rebecca and Aaron Loret de Mola-Ostergaard; Rachel Loret de Mola; Melissa Merriman and Matt Flory; Christine and Matthew Dunlap; John and Lillian Merriman; Thomas and Bridgette Merriman; Joanie and Ryan Tupper; Andrew Rigazio and Kimble McCraw; Alison Rigazio; Connor and Randi Merriman; John Merriman and her great-grandchildren Finn, Owen, and Eleanor Ostergaard; Emmett, Wyatt, and Blaire Condon; Julia and Oliver Flory; Elena, Sebastian, and Maya Dunlap; and Lennon Merriman.

She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Dean Cooper, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Patricia’s family was a lasting source of pride and joy in her life, and her memory will continue to live on through each of them.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul J. Merriman, who died in 2024; her father, Leo Hassett; and her mother, Mary Louise Hassett, née Cadere.

Patricia was a graduate of Our Lady of Angels, Manteno, and St. Joseph Hospital Nursing School. Patricia worked for a short time as a nurse before starting her family with her husband, Paul, whom she married in 1952. For many years Patricia was an active, stay-at-home mom. She enjoyed helping at all her children’s schools and spent thousands of hours volunteering. Patricia also kept busy helping her husband at their family business Herath Drugs for many years. Paul and Patricia built their own home in 1968, where they resided for 57 years. For health concerns, they sold that house and moved to Willow Falls Assisted Living, where they developed many new friendships. Patricia eventually needed more help and relocated to The Timbers in Shorewood, where she received excellent care.

Patricia will be remembered with affection and gratitude by all who knew and loved her. Her life is honored in the family she cherished, and her memory will remain a blessing.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the care Patricia received from her caregiver Lisa Briscoe, Willow Falls, The Timbers, and more recently Lightways Hospice. While flowers are beautiful, the family is strongly encouraging donations in Patricia’s name to Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431, or by visiting www.lightwayshospice.org.

Family and friends are invited to gather for a memorial visitation on December 7, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Raymond, 604 North Raynor Avenue, Joliet, Illinois 60435. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 a.m. also at the Cathedral. Inurnment with a committal service will take place immediately following at 12:00 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL.

Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com.