Elizabeth (Liz) Merrill Brown

Fillmore, Utah - Elizabeth (Liz) Merrill Brown, 56, passed away April 24, 2022, at home, surrounded by her family. Liz was a warrior who never gave up during a long, hard battle with breast cancer.

Liz was born March 16, 1966, in Logan, Utah, to John and Ruth (Bingham) Merrill. She grew up in Orem, Utah, where she developed a lifelong love for dance. She met her sweetheart, Wayne Orval Brown, at Mountain View High School, and they were married shortly after his mission on November 22, 1986, in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Liz and Wayne both attended Utah Valley Community College and Brigham Young University (Liz studied dance and family studies) before moving to Vermont so Wayne could finish his education. They returned to Utah and Liz finished her degree at BYU, after which they moved to Fillmore. Liz made lifelong friends everywhere she went and loved keeping in touch with people from all over.

Liz was passionate about helping families and children. She taught preschool, worked for Prevent Child Abuse Vermont, was involved with the Safe Kids Coallition and starting the RAD Kids program in Fillmore, and worked as a Family Resource Facilitator for Central Utah Mental Health. She also volunteered at her daughters’ schools and was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Liz expressed her testimony of the Savior in so many quiet but unmistakable ways. She knew in whom she had trusted. 

Liz shared her talents throughout her life. She was a beautiful dancer, and she continued sharing that beauty through choreography, helping her daughters in dance classes, and family dance parties. She loved quilting and other handiwork, but even more, she loved giving her projects to the people she loved. She also enjoyed teaching quilting skills to others.

Liz found her greatest joy in being with the people she loved. Her greatest treasures were her husband and three daughters, and her happy place was wherever everyone was together. She enjoyed inviting people into her home for long conversations and loved spending time with her parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends. She had a way of making everyone feel like family. One of her greatest talents was cultivating unique and individual relationships with each person. To know Liz was to be loved by her.

She is survived by her husband Wayne; her daughters Tania Marie, Melissa Anne, and Mckenzie Nicole; and siblings Pamela (Dennis) Peterson, Linda (Ted) Hansen, Joseph (Bonnie) Merrill, Susan (Wesley) Wood, Douglas (Judy) Merrill, Marie (Joseph) Winger, and Ann (Darrell) Jackson. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Ruth Merrill.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 29, 2022, at 12:00 PM at the Fillmore 1st and 4th Ward building (290 E 500 S, Fillmore, Utah). Friends may call on Thursday, April 28, from 6:00-8:00 PM or Friday, April 29, from 10:30-11:30 AM at the 1st and 4th Ward building. Interment will be in the Fillmore City Cemetery under the care of the Olpin Stevens Funeral Home. 

The Brown family extends heartfelt thanks to all of Liz’s doctors and nurses, the hospice care team, and so many friends and family members who have helped during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Liz, the family would like to invite you to do something nice for someone. They would love to hear about your experience.