Mary Lou Merritt, daughter of the late Charles Cliggett and Anne Cassidy Cliggett was born on August 2, 1945 in Jersey City, NJ. In 1963, Maire graduated from Shrine of the Little Flower High School in Royal Oak, MI. As a young woman, she attended The College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station, NJ and received her Masters degree from the University of Detroit. She was united in marriage to William E. Merritt, on December 24th of 1980. A devoted wife and mother, their union was blessed with two children. A lifelong educator, Maire began her career of Christian service teaching children in the Vailsburg neighborhood of Newark, NJ and Pensacola, FL. As a religion teacher at St. John Vianney Catholic High School in Holmdel, NJ, Maire committed 27 years of her life to helping students develop an innate sense of spirituality and service. In more recent years, Maire served as a Pastoral Associate at the Church of the Precious Blood in Monmouth Beach, NJ, where she taught adult religious education and prepared families for the Sacrament of Baptism. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children: Nora Anne Pellegrino and Eileen Rose Merritt, and son-in-law John Pellegrino of Colts Neck, NJ. Maire was also the proud grandmother of John William and Gabriella Rose Pellegrino. She is also survived by her five siblings and their loving spouses; twin sister Anne Hoeing and husband Thomas of Rye, NH, sister Margaret Mary Cliggett Reynolds and husband Farrell of Woodstock, NY, brother Chuck Cliggett and wife Nancy of Crested Butte, CO, brother Francis Cliggett of Hinsdale, IL and Michele Budnick, sister Rosemary Caulfield and husband Joseph of Hoboken, NJ. She will also be missed by her brother-in-law Wayne Merritt and wife Barbara, sisters-in-law Joan Fox and Diane Haddock, and their loving spouses, Frank and Andy. She is deeply loved by her countless nieces and nephews Family will welcome friends for a visitation from 4:00- 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Rd., Holmdel, NJ. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, 165 Bethany Rd., Holmdel, NJ at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2017. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Maire and Bill’s daughter’s special needs trust account. Checks can be made out to “Eileen Merritt’s Irrevocable Special Needs Trust” and mailed to: Nora Pellegrino, 10 Raven Road, Colts Neck, NJ 07722. In serving others, Maire inspired all those who crossed her path to do the same. All who knew Maire will remember her for her generosity and selflessness.