Amory deSaussure Merrit King

The journey through dementia ended peacefully for Amory deSaussure Merritt King June 22, 2025. Her children, Lucy and Chris, were by her side as she took her last breath.

Amory lived a fulfilling life long before dementia took hold. She was born May 1, 1936, at home in Mount Airy, NC. She was born to Amory deSaussure Moore Merritt and Will Dockery Merritt. Being born at home was an important fact that Mom shared often. She had 3 brothers, Bill, Cullen and John which meant life at home was full of adventure and sibling antics exploring each community they moved to. Mom shared many stories about their adventures, most often about their time in Atlantic Beach, FL where she swam in the ocean.

After graduation from Bartrum, a women’s school in Florida, Amory attended Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC. Next came her graduate work at St Margaret’s House in San Francisco where she earned her Masters of Christian Education. During her tenure at graduate school, Mom worked in the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho, which is where she met The Rev Kale F King. While they volunteered at Paradise Point Episcopal Church Camp in McCall, Idaho during the summer of 1961 sparks began to fly. Later that year on October 8th they were married at Trinity Episcopal Church, Mount Airy NC.

Amory and Kale welcomed two children into the family, Lucy born in Rupert, Idaho and Christopher born in Emmett, Idaho. The home was one filled with faith, love and laughter. Kale and Amory also provided a sense of adventure by moving the family several times. During each move, Amory took charge of organizing, packing, wrangling children, and then reversing the process. She was the glue that held us together as we moved. We moved from Rupert, ID to Emmett, ID to Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa to Lowgap, NC to Glasgow, MT and finally to Sandpoint, ID. In 1985, after both children were out of the house, Amory and Kale moved to Wheatland, WY. In 1988, Amory’s father gave them land below his house to build a retirement home close to her parents. After Kale died in 2021, Amory would reminisce and say, “We had a good life, didn’t we?”

Faith was the thread that ran through Amory’s life. She was known to pray as she completed tasks in the home. She supported Kale in his ministry and made a home filled with love for Lucy and Chris. Those who remember her, talk about her spiritual guidance and how she spoke about God’s hand in her life. Her life as a tertiary in the Third Order of the Society of St Francis (something she and Kale shared) informed her life and choices she made. As Franciscans they tried to lead simple lives. Each following a Rule of Life that included, worship, prayer, spiritual direction, and confession. As children, we didn’t know how much that influenced how we lived. During our year in Liberia, our parents prayed the Anglican Rosary with us, and we read Evening Prayer as a family. The year in Liberia taught our family a lot about the world. It added to the experiences we had in South Africa the summer of 1970.

Amory was an avid reader who devoured books of all sorts. She had a creative soul and found herself drawn to fiber arts. She sewed our clothing, knitted our sweaters, and wove beautiful pieces on her four-harness loom. At one point, she had a business named Amory’s Webs. She sold her pieces at craft and art fairs. She had a distinct rhythm when she was weaving, and it seemed like a holy dance. Later in her weaving career, Amory wove fair linens and Eucharistic garments for different parishes and priests. It was one way for her to combine her faith with her art.

Even when her dementia robbed her of her ability to read. Amory would carry a book or her crossword puzzles around. During her last days, I found her prayer book marked at Morning Prayer. She also kept her Franciscan directory with her precious belongings. Amory was a woman of faith who loved people and challenged them at times. She adored her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Amory was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, The Rev Kale F King; parents, Will D Merritt and Amory M Merritt and brother, Will D Merritt II “Bill”. She is survived by her children: Lucy Groves of Boise ID and Chris King (Shelly) of Mary Esther, FL; brothers: Cullen R Merritt (Sandra) of Nashville, TN and John M Merritt (Ellen) of Jacksonville, FL. She leaves behind her grandchildren: Cullen Groves (Cecily) of Moscow, ID, Aspen Groves (Puck) of Pullman, WA, and Kale E King of Shalimar, FL. She also leaves behind 3 great grandchildren: Arthur, Edward and Sylvia plus several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Amory will be Saturday, June 28 at 11:30 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 704 S Latah, Boise ID 83705. The burial will be later this year at Trinity Episcopal Church in Mount Airy NC. Remembrances may be left for the family at www.AccentFuneral.com

In lieu of flowers consider donating to Paradise Episcopal Church Camp in the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho or to The Society of St Francis (contact [email protected]).