Mary Elizabeth Merino passed away on October 28, taken from life much too early and under the saddest of circumstances. She was born on April 21, 1983, in Boston, MA, to Margaret Noyce and Tony Merino. Throughout her short and wondrous life, she lived all over the continent, touching lives everywhere she went. A free spirit and beautiful woman, she cared for others more than she cared for herself, and gave of herself every single day. A true cowgirl and a dedicated rancher, she never tired of working the land and improving everything around her through hard work and faith in others. She loved her dogs, her cows, and her horses, and she loved the ranching life more than any other. Everyone who knew her was awed by her beauty and her strength, and all the lives she touched will forever be changed by her influence. She was a beacon of light, and the world will be a darker place without her. She will be sorely missed, and treasured in memory forever. She is survived by: her daughters Savanna and Aziza Merino, her mother Margaret Noyce, her father Tony Merino, her brothers Michael Merino and David Noyce, her sister Jessica Merino, her partner Blake Nuffer, and her dear friend Andrew Bugni, as well as her extended family and many close friends. Her funeral will take place at the Brundage Funeral Home in Dillon, on 7 November, at 5 p.m. The service is open to family and friends. To send flowers, please visit www.brundagefuneralhome.com.