Gillian Mercer

Gillian "Gill" Mercer, 79, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Lacey, Wash., on January 13, 2026.
Gill was born on October 1, 1946, in Whitby, England, to Kathleen and Hedley Carruthers. She met her future husband, Robert "Bob" Mercer, while he was stationed with the U.S. Air Force at Royal Air Force Fylingdales in Yorkshire. The couple married and began a journey together that would span nearly six decades. They eventually settled in Washington state, where Gill embarked on a successful career in real estate. She retired in 2006 and enjoyed the theater, gardening and traveling. She recently insisted she could make a trip to the Galápagos Islands.
Above all, Gill was exceptionally generous - not only with gifts, but especially with her time. She would do anything for friends and family, even when it wasn't entirely practical, such as flying with a marionberry pie in her luggage simply because it was a favorite of someone she loved. She went about life with warmth, humor and an open heart - with the possible exception of visits to the T-Mobile store. Her grandson was her most valued treasure, and she was immensely proud of him. He brought her much happiness and she spoke of him and his girlfriend, Samara, often.
Gill is preceded in death by her husband, Bob Mercer; her parents, Kathleen and Hedley Carruthers; and her beloved sister, Hazel Magill. She is survived by her daughter, Dawn (Jeff) McElvain; her grandson, Quinn Mc Elvain; her brother-in-law, John (Linda) Mercer; her sister-in-law, Carolyn Mercer; many much-loved nieces, nephews and cousins; and numerous friends scattered across the world.
A committal service for Gill will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026 - a date she would have found amusing - at
Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Wash., where she will be interred alongside her husband.