Merritt Elizabeth Lloyd

10/28/71 - 8/25/2023

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Merritt Elizabeth Lloyd, who bravely and ferociously battled cancer for six months before finding peace on Friday, August 25th, 2023. Born October 28, 1971 in Michigan City Indiana. She resided in Asheville NC.

Merritt brought abundant joy, laughter, and tenacious wit into our lives as a beloved wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.

Merritt graduated from Elston High School in her hometown of Michigan City, IN in 1991. She attended Miami University in Oxford, OH then later pursued and obtained a degree from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Her adventurous, eager, and entrepreneurial spirit passionately led to her goal of restaurant ownership, then further looked to the love of the skies as a flight attendant. With a vigorous love of culinary excellence and zest for travel, Merritt took her clients to destinations across the globe with Netjets International.

Over this last year, Merritt continued to embrace life despite fighting an aggressive illness. She continuously showed her tenacious independence and sneaky smart humor. She skied her favorite runs in Beaver Creek Co., attended the wedding of her beautiful niece Maddie, joined in the annual Memorial Day Indianapolis 500 weekend, and spent other precious moments with her loved ones. From Indianapolis and Murray KY to Lake Lure and Beech Mountain, Merritt continued to live every moment without hesitation; placing family and friends over her disease in a state of relentless enthusiasm, compassion, and zeal.

She is pre-deceased by her father, Samuel Lloyd, her step father Dr. R. Thomas Rocke, and most recently step father Michael McCarthy. Merritt leaves behind her husband Adam Ripley and stepson James, her mother Diana Rocke McCarthy, her brother Marty Lloyd with nieces Brooke Lloyd and Brigitte Lloyd, her sister Jennifer Rocke Waldrop and husband Mark with niece Maddie Spencer and husband Campbell ,and nephew Tommy Waldrop, her brother Jeffrey Rocke, her best friend Neda Mroueh, and her two beloved rescue Australian Shepherds’ Kelbe and Ollie. Merritt’s spirit has now found its rightful place among the stars, watching over us from above. We have already felt her presence in subtle ways, reminding us that she is always with us.

Merritt will remain in our hearts and minds every day. Her brother Marty expressed it best saying "It's been an honor being your brother." We all have been blessed and honored to have had Merritt in our lives. As we mourn her passing, we find solace in the knowledge that we will see her again one day. Until then, she will remain in our hearts as a symbol of love, courage, and the enduring bond of family.

Fly high Merritt, fly high!

In honor of Merritt’s love of travel and even more love of animal rescue, the family is requesting donations to Wings of Rescue in lieu of flowers please. Their mission is to fly large-scale transports of at-risk pets from disaster areas and overcrowded shelters to partner shelters and deliver urgently needed humanitarian and veterinary aid into disaster areas. Please visit : https://givebutter.com/wingso… to make a donation in Merrritt’s honor. Simply leave her name in the add message section on their donation page.

The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life for Merritt on Saturday, Oct 28th, 2023 from 1-5 p.m. at her home in Asheville NC. All are welcome to drop in share memories, stories, and celebrate Merritt. 

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