In Memory
Barbara Jean Risinger Merriman ’57

July 13, 1935 – October 23, 2005

Reflections from her daughters, Lynette S. Merriman and Debra Merriman ’82.

Barbara was born in St. Paul, Minn., and raised in Minneapolis. She attended Macalester with her lifelong friend Ann Beran Jones ’57 and majored in both Psychology and Religious Education. Barbara later went on to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin. 

Barbara and husband Bill Merriman ’56 raised two daughters, Debra Merriman ’82 and Lynette Merriman. She was a terrific mother, providing her daughters with unfailing love, and never-ending encouragement and support.

Her professional career included hosting a children’s television show, serving as a church school director, teaching at a nursery school, a private girl’s school and, for most of her life, teaching the learning disabled in Sauk City, Wis. In her later years, Barbara served as an educational consultant for a math curriculum company.

She lived her life in Minnesota, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin and spent her final years in Mission Viejo, California. Barbara loved to travel, read, listen to music, watch football and baseball and go to the beach. She had a passion for learning and a passion for life, treating it as a glorious adventure. Barbara dedicated her life to helping others and was proud to be a Macalester alumna.