Memories of Merle McQueen

In memory of

Merle McQueen

Walnut Creek, CA

December 12, 1950 - October 22, 2023

Dec 12, 1950 - Oct 22, 2023

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Beth Stoor

Merle was a friend of my sister, Leslie…they lived 3 houses apart, had sons about the same age, both named David. When I moved from Michigan, into my sister’s home in Martinez (she moved to Danville), she introduced me to Merle…Merle & I had daughters about 2 months apart in age & shared the same daycare family down the street! Merle & I became friends - she was always up for an adventure & had a wonderful group of friends that welcomed me with open arms! She helped me acclimate to California, and made sure I had fun when my daughter had visitation with her dad in Michigan! Merle was very social, had lived in South Africa, was glamorous, and just radiated sunshine! She was smart & funny & always up for an adventure! She attracted amazing people into her life. Her passing has left this world without a wonderful, generous, vivacious woman ❤️!

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Cynthia DeYoung

Thank you Merle for coming into my life. I truly miss our daily walks. I am not sure who was the daily inspiration, but we kept at it even when we didn’t want too. Hugs and love to you in heaven. 💝

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Leanne McQueen

Giga Bedineishvili

2017, Baku, Azerbaijan

Jana Lalander

Leanne McQueen

Comments:

Giga Bedineishvili

We all know how much Merle loved to travel. Very often she would go to a foreign country where (surprise, surprise) she had a few friends and stay with them rather than at a hotel.

It obviously helped that over the years she had built up an extensive network of strategically located friends with a vey wide geography.

We always joked with her that she seemingly never paid for a room (or a full price for an airline ticket, for that matter) while roaming the globe and that her traveling buck went 5 times farther then ours - a major hack we were wondering how she did.

But, one day, after staying with us numerous times in Tbilisi, Baku and London, it all became clear to us - she was by far our favorite guest. She made you want to host her as she radiated warmth and fun and was full of stories all the time.

We would give much for another chance to open the door and see her standing there with a big suitcase smiling at us  …

Love her, miss her and remember our Merle! Ika, Anka, Cory, Sid & Giga

We all know how much Merle loved to travel. Very often she would go to a foreign country where (surprise,... Read more We all know how much Merle loved to travel. Very often she would go to a foreign country where (surprise, surprise) she had a ... Read more We all know how much Merle loved to travel. Very often... Read more

Leanne McQueen

Thank you for this lovely memory of my mom. And so true - her traveling skills were to be envied! xo Thank you for this lovely memory of my mom. And so true - her traveling skills were to be envied! xo Thank you for this lovely memory of my mom. And so ... Read more

Giga Bedineishvili

2017, Baku, Azerbaijan

Jana Lalander

Leanne McQueen

Comments:

Anka Bedineishvili

Love and miss you so much, Merle! Since the day I met you, when I was 5 years old, I was struck by how fabulous... Read more Love and miss you so much, Merle! Since the day I met you, when I was 5 years old, I was struck by how fabulous and striking you... Read more Love and miss you so much, Merle! Since the day I met... Read more

Katie Pierceall

Thinking of you all with love and prayers for peace! May the wonderful memories be a comfort! Merle was a super special lady who I will always remember with great fondness!

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Leanne McQueen

Please consider a donation to any cause of your choice.

$325.00

Raised by 2 people

Learn more & give

Jana Lalander

Shared a heart

Ward Flad

Merle organized and coordinated this medical mission to bring the technology and expertise to do cataract surgery to Georgia for the first time.

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Ellen Osmundson

Leanne McQueen

Jana Lalander

Anka Bedineishvili

Melissa McCarthy

Comments:

Ellen Osmundson

What a remarkable woman Merle was! What a remarkable woman Merle was! What a remarkable woman Merle was!

Melissa McCarthy

Thank you for sharing, Ward. She spoke so highly of you Thank you for sharing, Ward. She spoke so highly of you Thank you for sharing, Ward. She spoke so highly of... Read more

Ward Flad

highlights from one of our early trips to Georgia

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Ellen Osmundson

Leanne McQueen

Mary Lutzen

There are so many stories about beautiful Merle so I’d just like to mention a few of her qualities. These were seen through the course of our trips in 2017 & 2018 to Baku & Portugal and during her visits to Florida and visiting California where she lived and worked with my brother, Robert Falsetti, who introduced us in 2017. Merle was one of those people who generously shared her friends with others. When she heard I wanted to travel to Baku, she asked me to join her and introduced me to her friends in Baku, Istanbul & Tbilisi, although we had never met. Traveling w her was a “blast.” But in addition to the fun, she was a calm problem solver in difficult situations. Her driving skills were a wonder to behold as she backed a stick shift down a tight road in an old village in Portugal directed by an old man. Merle was fun to be with because she had a wonderful sense of humor.

Merle was adventurous in travel and with people (Who was that Iranian flamenco dancer she just gave our hotel to at the Istanbul airport?). She gave her trust and support to others. Finally, Merle was interested in other people and was concerned about them.

It wasn’t about her. It was about traveling to new places, experiencing new cultures and making new friends. Merle was a goodwill ambassador and a dear friend. Irreplaceable.

With love.

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Ellen Osmundson

Leanne McQueen

Jana Lalander

Melissa McCarthy

Shared a heart

Gary Dulberg

Shared a heart

Luna Foster

My deepest condolences to you and your family, Leanne. The handful of times I was able to spend time around your mom a few things struck me: she was charismatic, worldly, and had a wonderful smile. There are some unique individuals that make a lasting impression… and Merle was one of them. May her friends and family forever keep the good memories they shared with her alive in their hearts.

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Leanne McQueen

Jana Lalander

lisa lewis javar

My condolences to Merle's family. I first met Merle at the Pride Parade in SF . Little did I know I would be on a my way to Zambia that year and 2 years later again. She was an everlasting light for all who were fortunate enough to meet and work along side of her . I will cherish our time and the small container of sand she brought me back from her trip to the Tenerife Islands. One of my favorite places I traveled with my late father . Mahalo Merle, a hui hou kakou (until we meet again ).

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Leanne McQueen

Ellen Osmundson

Shared a heart

Dirk + Antonio Gerdes

Shared a heart

Ellen Osmundson

Merle was a force of life. She did not surrender to illnesses and she never lost her heart to help those less fortunate. I was fortunate to have gotten to know her in her final years. While I was impressed by the ways she always wanted to help others even when she was very sick herself, her obituary made it clear that it had always been the way she embraced life, her own and other people’s. What an incredible human being; what a huge loss on earth!

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Leanne McQueen

Shorena Grigolia

Shared a heart

Michelle Finley

What a beautiful life Merle had. My sympathies with your family for such great losses within a year. Very nice tribute to her in telling her background.

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