07/14/2000
Judith M. (Schmidt) Merchant, 59, a 24 year resident of Olympia, died
of cancer Friday, July 14, 2000, at home.
She was born Aug. 27, 1940, to Arnold
and Dorothy (Kretzschmar) Schmidt in Burlington, Iowa. Mrs. Merchant married Richard
I. Merchant Dec.19, 1961.
She was a retired executive of the state of Washington.
Mrs. Merchant was a member of the Washington State Employee’s Credit Union board
of directors, Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Delta Pi sorority, American Cancer Society and
the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Olympia. Mrs. Merchant loved playing piano,
bridge and golf. She enjoyed reading, traveling, opera and spending time with her
grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Richard I. Merchant of Olympia; two
sons, Michael B. Merchant of Portland and David B. Merchant of Seattle; two brothers,
David R. Schmidt of Albuquerque, N.M., and Michael P. Schmidt of Pacific Palisades,
Calif.; a sister, Esther of St. Clair Shores, Mich.; three grandchildren; five nieces; and four nephews.
Visitation will be from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 17, at Mills
& Mills Funeral Directors, Olympia. Burial will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 18,
at Masonic Memorial Park, Tumwater. A memorial service will follow at 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, July 18, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Olympia.
In lieu of flowers,
memorial donations can be sent to the American Cancer Society 1551 Broadway Suite
200, Tacoma, WA 98402-3332. Arrangements are by Mills & Mills Funeral Directors,
Olympia.