Merilyn Huff Devenish passed away on Friday, May 24, 2024.  Merilyn was the fifth daughter born to Joseph Lynn Huff and Mercy Eleanor Green on November 21, 1950 in Salina, Utah.  Merilyn grew up in Springville with her six sisters.  In her younger years she could be found tormenting her younger sisters or being teased by her older sisters–a house full of girls with so many fond memories.  Merilyn ran away from school a few times and would often fake sick, tricking her mom by putting the thermometer on the heating register.  She enjoyed stealing the family car, even though she couldn’t drive at the time, and would drag and race on Main Street.  She had a spunky personality!  She knew what she liked and what she didn’t, and as her sisters and family could testify, she wasn’t afraid to let you know.  Merilyn graduated from Springville High School in 1969.

Merilyn married the love of her life, Roy Devenish on August 29, 1969, in Springville, Utah.  They resided there for a few years, then moved to Spanish Fork where they raised two daughters, Amy and Angie.

Merilyn was very crafty.  She put together and painted many wood projects to sell in her booth at the Quilted Bear.  She sewed many adorable hooded baby towels for grandkids and other lucky people, and even for Angie’s dolls. She used these same sewing talents to sew her own wedding dress!  She enjoyed crocheting, and when she was relaxing would crochet the best washcloths.  Merilyn enjoyed decorating her home and became skilled at wallpapering. She was a Home Interior connoisseur. She used these talents to create beautiful bedrooms for her daughters, where everything matched including the homemade doll bedding. Her girls were always dressed well down to their socks and their hair bows.  She showed no mercy when doing their hair for school.  She would pull pigtails so tight and smooth that her girls would spend the entire day with squinty eyes and that one hair that pulled every time they turned their head.  Merilyn canned for many years and would can apricots and salsa.  She made the best mashed potatoes!  Angie’s favorite meal was her mom’s meatloaf, along with buttered squash and potatoes.

Merilyn went to work for Nebo School District in 1983 in the school lunch program.  She worked as a baker (when school lunch was actually good!), and as a transporter. During the summer she would sew new aprons to start the school year.  She had aprons for every holiday; she even made Angie her very own lunch lady apron when she was old enough to be a lunch server at her elementary school.  The “lunch lady network” was alive and well in the Devenish household.  Merilyn always said that if you needed to know something, just ask a lunch lady.  She made many friends over those years and cherished those friendships.  She retired in 2011, after 28 years, and received the Heart of the Kitchen Award.

Roy and Merilyn enjoyed spending time at their family cabin.  They worked hard making it a comfortable and fun place for their family.  Lots of memories were made at the cabin between hunting, four wheeler rides, yummy food, conversations, and long games of Thirty-one.  Before the cabin, the family spent many years camping in their favorite spots up in Hobble Creek Canyon.

Merilyn enjoyed her grandkids very much.  She often shared funny stories and made up hilarious answers to some pretty serious questions.  She was fun to tease and the kids thought it was hilarious to poke holes in Gma’s hair, something she thought was sometimes funny, but mostly annoying.  Mercedes, Coltrin, and Adley loved the time they spent at the cabin with their Grump and Gma.

As Merilyn’s health declined over the last few years, Roy has been by her side through it all.  Together they built a life: three houses, a cabin, kids, grandkids, and pets, including the newest addition Major, their beloved mini goldendoodle.  Roy has been such a great husband to Merilyn, even through the difficult times.

To honor Merilyn’s wishes, a private graveside was held on May 29, 2024 at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.  We would love all of her family and friends to attend a celebration of Merilyn’s life that will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 6-8 pm at Mark and Angie’s home in Spanish Fork.

Roy and Angie would like to thank the wonderful hospice nurses and staff that have lovingly cared for Merilyn, providing her with the care they were not able to provide.  Thanks to all who have loved her through the years.  Memories are something we can cherish forever.