Judith "Judy" Mercille

Judith "Judy" Mercille, born on August 29, 1939, passed away surrounded by the love of her family. She was the youngest of two children born to Maurice and Ethel Melberg.

Judy's story began in a cabin on the Green River in Auburn, Washington. She grew up alongside her older brother, Kenny, and the family eventually settled on R Street in Auburn, where her parents remained for the rest of their lives. She graduated from Auburn High School, attended Green River Community College, and later moved to Burbank, California.

While living in California, Judy married and welcomed her only son, Jason David Frisk, on August 7, 1965. Following her divorce when Jason was two years old, she returned to Auburn to be near her parents and devoted herself to raising her son.

Judy worked as a medical and dental financial assistant while raising Jason as a single mother. Later, she met Louis H. Mercille, whom she married in 1980. Together they made their home in University Place, Washington, where Judy lived until 2024.

Judy and Louis shared a love of boating and the water. As longtime members of the Tacoma Yacht Club—where Louis had been a member since 1956—they spent countless days aboard the sailboat Louis built by hand, La Vida, exploring the San Juan Islands, Alaska, and the waters of Puget Sound. Judy became a proud Shipmate at the Tacoma Yacht Club, where she and Louis enjoyed many friendships and memorable gatherings over the years. Following Louis's passing in December 2012, Judy remained an active and devoted member of the Yacht Club for the rest of her life.

Judy is survived by her son, Jason Frisk, and daughter-in-law, Becki Frisk; her stepdaughters and their husbands, Claire and Rufus Clark, and Kathy and Greg Mercille; and her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Sam Smith, 31; Alli Ford, 29; George Clark, 28; Lillie Clark, 24; Danica Frisk, 19; Carter Frisk, 16; and great-grandchildren Sage Ford, 20 months, and Rummi Jo Ford, 6 months. She is also survived by her brother Kenny's children—her nephew John and her nieces Debbie, Ethel, and Nancy—with whom she shared a close and cherished relationship.

Judy found joy in life's simple pleasures. She was an avid reader, an accomplished gardener, and a wonderful cook who delighted in sharing meals with family and friends. She especially treasured her daily morning walks with friends in University Place and remained intellectually and socially active through several book clubs and her bridge club.

Those who knew Judy will remember her as loving, fair, honest, direct, and deeply compassionate. She was devoted to her family, proud of her heritage, and took immense pride in the lives and accomplishments of her children, grandchildren, and extended family.  She had a joyful, unforgettable laugh that could brighten any room she entered.  Her warmth, strength, wisdom, and unwavering love will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Judy's legacy lives on in the family she loved so deeply and in the many friendships she nurtured throughout her remarkable life.