Merlene M. Parris

Merlene Monica Parris was the eldest child of Ivan and Gladys Parris, was born in Jamaica, West Indies. She died on the 10th of February, 2024, at age 88. 

At a very young age, Merlene knew that she wanted to become a nurse. With her parent’s’ blessing, while still a teenager, she left Jamaica for England to pursue her life’s ambition. She graduated from Paddington General Hospital in London, with a diploma in General Nursing and as a Registered Mental Health Nurse from Springfield Hospital, London. Merlene also graduates from Northampton Hospital, Southwest England, as a Certified Midwife.

After spending several years in England, she emigrated to the United States of America to join her parents and siblings,

She worked as a Staff Nurse and Nursing Supervisor at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City and later as an Assistant Director of Nursing at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City. During her years at Mount Sinai, she continued to advance her nursing education and obtained her Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration from Long Island University.

Merlene has always been a devout Catholic and was a member of St. Brigid’s Church, Westbury, New York. She contributed to many charitable organizations, especially the ones involving children.

She is fondly known as “Ms. Merl” or “Sister Merl” by her family and many friends and as a compassionate, gentle, dependable and humble human being. She enjoyed traveling and visited many countries in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

She is survived by seven brothers, one sister, and several nieces and nephews, and friends.