Merri Lillian Bussell

Merri Lillian Bussell, 60, of Touchet, Washington lost her 2-year battle with cancer on April 5, 2012 at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla. Merri was born on December 17, 1951 in Bremerton, Washington to the late Charles & Delma McKeever Russell.

Merri grew up in Port Orchard, Washington. She attended Givens Elementary, Marcus Whitman Junior High and went on to graduate from South Kitsap High School in 1970. She graduated with a degree in Education from Western Washington University in 1974. She then went on to get her Master’s degree in Education with a counseling endorsement from Walla Walla College in 1993. Merri was hired by the Touchet School District in August of 1974. After 38 years of teaching all facets at Touchet School District, she retired.

She was completely devoted to children, both inside and outside of the classroom. A truly loving mother, Merri would always talk about her two children, Jakob M. Bussell & Breayn R. Bussell. She always thought of her kids before herself. She did everything she could to make their experience of life a wonderful one and did a great job at it. She was at every school, church, military & sporting event that she could be at and was their #1 fan. She started keeping score for teams so that she had to be there for their games. Merri was found on the sidelines of the football field, scorer’s table of the basketball court and the dugout of the baseball field. Keeping score and loving every minute of it even after her children graduated.

Merri had a way of letting her students know that they were loved & that she was going to get the best out of them. Merri had a huge, kind heart & would always give someone a second chance. On many occasions, she let kids that were in hard times come stay in her home. Merri truly loved her job because she truly loved kids. Not only in the classroom was she active with kids. As an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of College Place, she was found working with the children in Sunday school and Vacation Bible School.

In the times that Merri was not at the school or church, she was found reading, working on Sudoku, planning her next adventure and meeting up with friends. She loved being outside. She had a passion for the water, whether it was the beaches of Hawaii, Hood Canal on the Puget Sound or the Snake River. Her travels always seem to be where she could be around water. All of her stresses would wash away with the sound of water.

Merri was always surrounded by her friends and family wherever she went. She left a mark of love & kindness on the hearts of everyone she was around. She will be truly missed by many.

Merri is survived by her sister, Katherene “Kitti” Phillips of Port Orchard, WA; her children, Jakob & Marcela Bussell of Fontana, CA & Breayn Bussell of Touchet, WA; 2 grandchildren, Ariana & Isaac Bussell; nieces & nephews, Charles & Dyann Phillips and Kimberly Phillips, all of Port Orchard; great nephews, Kevin, Zachary, Aiden & Noah Phillips all of Port Orchard. Others considered to be family by Merri are Arthur W. Bussell of Pasco, WA; Rene Gosney of Touchet; Melanie Wilkinson of Touchet; Sarah Bussell of Murfreesboro, TN; Darlene & Wesley White of Vancouver, WA; nieces & nephews, the late Tara Gosney; Beau & Vanessa Gosney of Boise, ID; Mandy “Wa” Griffith of Sitka, AK; Mason & Heidi White of Vancouver, & great niece, Olivia Gosney of Boise, ID.

The Memorial Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 14, 2012 in the Main Gym of Touchet High School. Memorial donations may be made to the Touchet Educational Foundation through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA.