Merilyn Grace Clizer

Merilyn Grace Clizer passed away on November 7, 2015 at Wheatland Village. She was born in Spokane, Washington on October 3, 1927 to Marjorie and Wayne Pratt and grew up on the family farm west of Tekoa, Washington. She attended first grade at the one room Lone Pine Elementary School and graduated Tekoa High School in 1945. She received her Bachelor of Art degree (major in music) from Whitman College in 1949. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, Mu Phi Epsilon music honorary, and Mortar Board.

Shortly after graduating, she married her high school sweetheart, Charles B. Clizer, Jr., in Tekoa. They were one of the first couples to be wed in the Methodist church, which her father had assisted in building. For the next two years, they studied and worked at University of Washington and Eastern Washington College. Merilyn gained her Washington state music teacher’s certification in 1950.   In the fall of 1951, the couple moved to Dayton, Washington, where she started teaching private piano lessons.   In addition to raising four children, she had leadership roles in many church, school and community organizations and was instrumental in founding a community daycare for migrant children.

The Clizer family moved to Walla Walla in 1969. Merilyn became an active member in the Walla Walla chapter of Washington State Music Teachers’ Association. Later, she served as the organization’s state president and continued to enjoy teaching her private piano students until her retirement in 1989. Merilyn served from 1989 to 2002 as a piano adjudicator for the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, WSMTA, and the National Guild of Piano Teachers. In 2002 she was honored as a 50-year member of Music Teachers National Association.

Merilyn was an active member of Pioneer United Methodist Church and at one time served as a counsel to the UMC northwest conference bishop. She also belonged to Washington State P.E.O. Chapters for 68 years, AT (Tekoa), BJ (Dayton) and CI (Walla Walla), Walla Walla Women’s Reading Club for 46 years, and Church Women United. Merilyn took great pleasure in the friendships she developed through her involvement in these organizations and her role as an accompanist for instrumentalists and vocalists. Her other interests included attending musical concerts and theatre performances, poetry, philosophical discussions, and travel.   Her character was defined by graciousness and a positive outlook on life. Merilyn understood the difference between high standards and perfection. She defined others by their finest qualities and was a constant supporter of their endeavors. In so doing, she revealed to others her life as a committed Christian.

She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 64 years, Charles, and her brother, Fevrel Pratt. Her survivors include her younger brother, Stan (Karen) Pratt of Yakima, WA; her sister-in-law, Joan Wilson Pratt of Portland, OR; and her children and their spouses: Teresa (John) Jeffreys of Lacey, WA, Charles Wesley (Sharon) Clizer of Clarkston, WA, Claircy Clizer and Charlotte (Kraig) Klicker of Walla Walla, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the entire staff at Wheatland Village who for nearly eight years gave Charles and Merilyn a loving home and community. They are also grateful to Walla Walla Hospice and Matty’s Home Care personnel who, along with the care givers at Wheatland Village, most recently contributed so much to her peace and comfort.

The Memorial Funeral Service will be held on Friday, November 13, 2105 at 1:00 PM at the Pioneer United Methodist Church with Revs. Chuck Hindman & Tom Telfer officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Pioneer United Methodist Church, Walla Walla Community Hospice, Walla Walla Symphony, or Whitman College Richardson Scholarship Fund in Piano.