SALT LAKE CITY — Cresente Rose Pantazes Merrill, passed away peacefully April 29, 2011 in Salt Lake City with her family at her side. She was 87. She was born May 16, 1923 in Jewell, Colo., the eldest daughter of Stamatis Anastasios (Pete) Pantazes and Benedita Romana Martinez. Music, dancing, her children, her 14 grandchildren and her three great-grandchildren were her life. She taught them to love and appreciate everything beautiful. Always an early riser, she looked forward to each new day. An accomplished artist, she was gifted in window fashion display for Kress, May’s, Daniels & Fisher and Keith O’Brien, where she was also a sought-after retail sales associate. She managed the Saint Paul Paraclete Gift Shop in Salt Lake City for many years. She married Douglas M. Merrill in Denver, Colo. on Sept. 2, 1951 (later divorced). She is survived by her children: Linda Rose Erickson, Denver, Colo.; Richard Steven Merrill (Paula), Salt Lake City; Leslie Douglas Merrill (Julie), Bountiful; William Thomas Merrill (Kym), Tomball, Texas; as well as her brothers and sisters Mary Pantazes (Aguilar, Colo.), Violet Carlin (Anaheim, Calif.) Mr. and Mrs. George Pantazes (Aguilar, Colo.), Mr. and Mrs. James Pantazes (Denver) Thomas Pantazes (Aguilar) Mr. and Mrs. William Pantazes (Trinidad, Colo.) and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents, sister Elaine Gusman (Bob), brothers Anastasios (died in infancy) and Nicholas Pantazes (Patricia) and special angel Frances Martinez. The funeral Mass was held Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Aguilar, Colo.
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