Merna Paris, 65, a lifelong resident of Batavia who worked in the surgical equipment department of Delnor-Community Hospital for almost a quarter of a century, died Saturday, Jan. 18, of cardiac arrest in the Geneva hospital. Mrs. Paris went to work at the hospital in 1978. She was scheduled to retire this summer. “She went back to work after us kids were pretty much raised,” said her daughter, Patricia Schipma. “She found a little job in the hospital sterilizing surgical equipment and then went on to the purchasing department. She did important work. I always told her that and was always proud of her for that.” Mrs. Paris was born in Batavia and graduated from Batavia High School. She spent almost her entire life in the community, watching it change from farms to a booming suburb. “She spent a few years in Aurora after getting married but wanted to come back here,” Schipma said. “She wanted to raise us kids here.” Mrs. Paris loved nature and enjoyed bird-watching and camping. She is also survived by her husband of 46 years, Robert; three sons, Gary, Paul and Robert Jr.; a brother, Bruce Johnson; and 10 grandchildren. Services will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Yurs-Peterson-Moss Funeral Home, 209 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia.
