Devoted parishioner at St. Catherine dies at 101

Laguna Beach centenarian and devoted parishioner Aline Merrill died peacefully in her sleep Monday. She was 101.

Her long-time caregiver Ana Mascunana, who was with her at the time, notified the Rev. Eamon O’Gorman, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, who administered the last rites.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, at the church she so loved, according to Dr. Martine J. Miller, Merrill’s friend and neighbor for more than 40 years.

“She was quite a gal,” Miller said. “She was sharp right up to the last couple of days.”

Merrill was born July 25, 1905. She came to Laguna Beach from Omaha, Nebraska, in 1938.

She, her husband, John, and her father opened Livewire Cleaners on Forest Avenue that year.

The Merrill’s home was chosen for its location across the street from St. Catherine’s.

At a garden party held to celebrate Aline Merrill’s 100th birthday in 2005, friend Lionel Mystinger said, “I think Aline holds the record for masses attended.”

Father Eamon O’Gorman said he met Aline Merrill the very first day he took over as pastor of the church.

“Monsignor Urell [the pastor before O’Gorman] brought me over and introduced me,” O’Gorman said.

The concrete path from Aline Merrill’s backyard made for easier wheelchair access to the church once it became difficult for her to walk, but the path from her front door to the house is dirt — an indication, friends said, of the church’s importance in her life.

Aline Merrill was the first person to ride in the elevator installed in the church during extensive renovations completed in 2005 and it was dedicated to her.

Aline Miller is survived her niece, Marylynn Kaiser of Oklahoma, and great niece, Valorie Doyle of Illinois.