Merlyn Anthony
April 5, 1942 - July 29, 2023
Dear Friends,
Merlyn Anthony, a beloved member of the Apollo Center of the Fellowship of Friends, completed her task peacefully at 3:20p.m. today, Saturday, July 29, 2023, at a hospital in Grass Valley.
Merlyn was born on April 5, 1942, and turned 81 on her last birthday. She joined the Fellowship in San Francisco in April 1974, living in San Francisco, Marin, and Kansas City, as well as Apollo in recent decades. A friend noted that Merlyn’s desire was to follow the wishes of her teacher, and the path she chose was working with the Bonsai Garden. She dedicated the last three decades to the bonsai, maintaining it lovingly with the help of friends. Merlyn increased our collection to 130 trees, many of which she created herself from native and domesticated trees and bushes from Apollo, including grape, quince, and crab apple, at Robert’s request.
On behalf of all who knew you, we thank thee.
In loving presence,
The Elysian Society
Funeral Service Text: Merlyn Anthony 2023-09
For the person who has learned to let go and let be, nothing can ever get in the way again.
Meister Eckhart
Not only were we physical neighbors in Oregon House for 20 years, Bonsai had been an interest from before joining the school as a means to meditate, and as a single person might have become a path to follow after meeting Merlyn, but fate had other plans. Later Merlyn was an instrumental figure in helping me after a disabling health incident in so many ways. It was always the utmost joy to enter the Bonsai Pavilion – Serenity – Peace – her Love shone.
Merlyn’s delightful smile touched many.
She was courageous and knew what she wanted in her life and in her spiritual work.
She passed with a sweet heart as light as a feather.
Ah, my Beloved, fill the Cup that clears
To-Day of past Regret and future Fears:
To-morrow?! Why To-morrow I may be
Myself with Yesterday’s Sev’n thousand Years.
Omar Kyayyam
Merlyn, a magician with plants, a ‘pony’ as the welsh word indicates, in willingness to take on projects, like special cakes for the Teacher, and the Bonsai from start to incredible appearance here.
ah, my beloved, fill the cup that clears
Today of past regret and Future fears:
tomorrow?! Why To-morrow I may be my self
with Yesterday’s Sev’n thousand Years.
unforgettable
corrina
Merlyn moved into the Cavannas’ Kensington East-Bay teaching house with her small daughter in the 1970s. The atmosphere produced many pressures for myself and other roommates, and was not easy for a very small child. Her behavior was often difficult in addition to the friction of fighting pet cats, people preparing to move to centres, or searching for extra work as they came from other areas, commuting every week to support the property in Oregon House. Merlyn consistently produced a sweet and steady energy for all of us.