Dr. Merilyn E. Nance PhD

4/27/1939 – 11/2/2012

Merilyn E. Nance was born Merilyn Irene Redelfs to Albert and Velma Redelfs, on April 27, 1939 in Hysham Montana. Merilyn’s family moved to Sumas Washington in 1954 where she graduated from Nooksack Valley High School in 1957. She married her high school sweetheart Evan Lee and moved to San Francisco where he attended San Francisco State University. She supported Evan through College and in 1961 their daughter Vivienne was born followed by their son Evan Jr. in 1965.

Education was of utmost importance in Merilyn’s life. While raising two children, she began what turned out to be an 18-year pursuit of higher education. Merilyn fell in love with the study of Psychology and became a lifelong learner in her field. She received her BA and MA in Psychology from Sonoma State in 1968 and 1970. Her PhD was earned from USIU in 1976. After receiving her doctorate she began teaching and also opened her own private counseling practice in Tacoma, WA in 1978.

In 1984 she left Washington and moved to be in the sun in Arizona, finally settling in the town of Sierra Vista.

Her love of learning and teaching overflowed into her classroom where for over 30 years she taught at colleges in both Washington and Arizona. Over twenty of those years were spent at Cochise College where she invested her time and talent to enlighten and educate hundreds of students. In Sierra Vista she also had a private counseling practice and was instrumental and invaluable in helping others heal and thrive.

One of her most prized accomplishments was her development of the Honors Program at Cochise College. This program has touched many students and is still running today. It exemplifies her commitment to higher learning.

Merilyn was a lover of knowledge, a pursuer of growth and seeker of God. She enjoyed art, classical music and had a life long love affair with books. Her early childhood was one of hardscrabble poverty and limited education. Rising from a level of poverty and limited education, she was determined to improve, and invested her time and pursuits well and in so doing far exceeded her humble beginnings. Along the way, she also invested in many people whose lives are richer for the care and effort of Merilyn. A loving mother, generous grandmother, thoughtful counselor, and exceptional teacher. Merilyn leaves a legacy of love and will be greatly missed by many.

Merilyn is survived by her daughter Vivienne Gevers, son in law Willy and grandchildren, Gentry, Spencer, Gabrielle and Trey, her son Dr. Evan Lee Jr., daughter in law Kelly and grandchildren Mckenzie and Dashiell, and her four sisters, Rose, Karen, Kathleen and Marsha.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Dr. Nance by sending a donation to the Cochise College Honor’s program. Please make the check out to the Cochise College Foundation with a letter stating that you would like to make a donation in Merilyn Nance’s memory to the Honors Program Fund at: Mary B. Coyle, Honors Chair, Cochise College, 901 N.

Colombo Sierra Vista, AZ 85635. (Please note “for Honors Program Fund” in the memo line of the check) A scholarship fund will be made available to an exceptional student. Print this post