Rosalind (Linda) Ferrucci Merrell Obituary – Daytona Beach News-Journal

Rosalind (Linda) Ferrucci Merrell fell peacefully into a final sleep on September 9th, 2022 ending an incredible life story that will leave an empty place in all of our hearts. She was a guiding light and an inspiration to everyone whose lives she touched over her 83 blessed years. She cared for so many people in need in a selfless and considerate way that amazed everyone but always appeared effortless.

Linda was born and raised in New Haven Connecticut by her parents, Lorenzo (Larry) and Catherine Ferrucci. She graduated from Lassell College with an associate of science degree and a bachelor’s in nursing. Linda met Robert (Bob) A. Merrell, Jr. while she was working as a nurse and Bob was doing his medical residency in Otolaryngology at Yale New Haven hospital. They married and had three children while living in New Haven: Robert A. Merrell, III (Rob); Diane Merrell White (husband Mark); and Christine Merrell. They subsequently moved to Bob’s hometown of Daytona Beach where they had two more children, Lawrence Merrell (Larry) and Matthew Merrell.

Following a career in nursing and while raising five children, Linda became a selfless advocate for children’s issues and won the support of leaders at the local, state and federal levels. Since the 1970s, Linda served as a lobbyist in Tallahassee and Washington, DC where she met and worked with many legislators, governors and even presidents. As a health and human services advocate, she was integrally involved in many important social service initiatives, including the Florida Governor’s Constituency for Children and the Florida Children’s Health Insurance Program, later known as Florida KidCare, a program which to this day provides health insurance for more than 2.6 million low-income children across the state of Florida. Linda served as the coordinator of the Florida Governor’s Constituency for Children, served on the board of the Developmental Disabilities Council and was a long-time participant on her region’s Health Planning Council.

Linda was recognized for her many accomplishments and earned several awards including the 2017 Outstanding Woman in Public Health by the University of South Florida College of Public Health. Stetson University also presented her with an honorary doctorate in humanities. Linda was a legend amongst her peers and in contrast with her slight stature, she possessed a fierce resolution for the many causes she championed. Linda’s purposeful determination was balanced by her smooth and gentle approach that garnered respect from all.

As a mother, Linda was the most incredible teacher, healer, mentor, and inspiration to all of her five children and to the many who “adopted” her as a second mom. Linda opened her heart and home as a haven to all, including humans and animals alike. She rescued more cats and dogs than we could count, not to mention the baby racoons and squirrels she nursed back to health. Linda created memories for her family and everyone she touched which will guide us all to be better people from the examples she provided and the wisdom she shared.

Linda was predeceased by her parents, her husband Bob, and her incredible and loving sister Gail Camputaro. She is survived by her five children and nine grandchildren: Marina, Robbie, Alston, Alec, Caroline, Haley, Sean, Kira, and Mac. With so many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, she unwaveringly loved them all.

The many friends and family who knew and loved her will miss her generous spirit, infectious smile, and boundless love. If you knew Linda, you know God just gained a special new angel who will be watching over all of us; we should all be comforted by that.

A service of celebration and thanksgiving for her life will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, 44 South Halifax Drive, Ormond Beach, FL on Saturday, October 8, 2022 followed by a reception in the church social hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be to made to the following charities:
• St. Baldrick’s Foundation
• Florida Children’s First
• The Children’s Movement
Posted online on September 16, 2022
Published in Daytona Beach News-Journal

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