MIRA (WOMACK) MERRITT

Married John Neal Merritt December 24, 1961; graduated from Jones High School May, 1962.

Married for 27 years, had two girls: Margaret, now 38, and Lara, now 32. I have four grandchildren: Sarah (14), Ashley (10), Helena (7), and Stephen (3 months).

Divorced in 1988.

My first career was in health care: RN, diploma. Worked at Methodist Hospital for three years (1967 – 1970), and for eight years at M. D. Anderson Cancer Institute (1970 – 1978).

My second career was as a geologist: BS in Geology from U. of Houston in 1982. MS in Geology from U. of Houston in 1988. I was employed as an exploration and research geologist from 1982 to 1987 (until the oil industry took a dive). I was laid off three times in three years.

My second MS degree (Environmental Science) was obtained in 1991 from the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston. From 1987 to 1989 I was employed with the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, as an Environmental Specialist. My current career is as a senior level Environmental Engineer with a large petrochemical firm located here in Houston; I have been with them since 1990.

I have always enjoyed the outdoors, and took my children camping all over the Southwest and West when they were young; my hobbies have included mountain climbing (I have managed to climb only two “fourteeners” in Colorado), canoeing and kayaking (Houston Canoe Club member for several years), and now I go birding all over the U.S. I am a volunteer at Brazos Bend State Park, and my time is spent helping the park naturalists with bird counts, bird banding, and bird hikes. I occasionally take my older grandchildren on birding trips with me.

I am engaged to a wonderful man; we have purchased 40 acres of land in the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado (near South Fork), and plan to retire there in two years.

I have had a great life; I have suffered no physical disabilities, nor have my children or grandchildren. Do I wish that things could have turned out differently? Yes, but, I have learned that no matter how bleak you think life is, God has something planned for you. Just let Him take over, and you will not only survive, but find other opportunities opening up for you.