Please share your favorite stories about Merelee, post photos or videos, and read through what everyone else is sharing. You can also see a short video slide show on the "Videos" tab. We would love to see any and all stories and photos - happy, sad, goofy, adventurous, etc. When this is done, we'll compile all of these memories into a book for our father, and her husband, David. 

We would ideally get everyone together to share stories and celebrate the life of our mother, Merelee Garrison, but that isn't possible with the risks and restrictions brought on by COVID-19. Instead, we'd like to have this online memorial. We still hope to have an in-person celebration of her life when it's safe to gather together.

Meredith Lee “Merelee” (Day) Garrison, of State College, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, November 16th, at the age of 67.

Merelee was born in Madison, Wisconsin, to her parents Lee and Jodi Day. She graduated from State College Area High School in 1971 and Penn State University in 1975. She later earned a post-graduate degree in Art Therapy at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

Merelee met her husband, David, while working as an Art Psychotherapist in a children’s hospital in Virginia. The couple immediately fell in love - getting engaged after 3 months of their first date and married after 9 months. They gave birth to their first son, Matt, in 1982, and to their second son, Scott, in 1986. The family moved back to State College in 1985, where they built a beautiful family and a wonderful life in the community they have called home ever since.

After moving to State College, Merelee worked at Radio Park and Lemont elementary schools, and volunteered at the PAWS animal shelter and Ten Thousand Villages. She enjoyed painting, playing pickleball, and traveling the world with David. She dedicated her life to her family and friends, and that showed in everything she did.

Merelee is survived by her loving husband, David, their dog Abbie, sons Matt (and his wife Amber) and Scott, her brother Michael Day (and his wife Carol Ann), and the lucky individuals she donated her organs to save.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Merelee’s memory to Centre County PAWS (www.centrecountypaws.org/donate) or Ten Thousand Villages (https://give.tenthousandvillages.com).