HELEN VIRGINIA OSBORN MERCK

was born on November 17, 1926 and passed away on July 4, 2020 at the age of 93. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Frank Osborn and Ruth Hill Osborn; her husband of 54 years, John A. Merck; and sister, Joan Osborn Wohlrabe (Jim). She is survived by her four children, Vicki McAllister (Bo), John A. Merck II, Michael Merck (Sandy), and Laura Jones (Tom); nine grandchildren, Marcus McAllister, Wendy McAllister Bloom (Kevin), Ryan Merck (Lindsey), Kristen Merck Hormann (Mark), Thomas, Kimberly, Rebecca, Joseph, and Garrett Jones; and four great-grandchildren: Kinley, Macie, and Callie Merck, and Kya Hormann; and many nieces and nephews.

Virginia graduated high school from Mount Saint Mary Academy and went on to graduate from the St. Vincent School of Nursing. She worked for over 30 years as a psychiatric nurse, 25 of which were at the State Hospital. She volunteered at Helping Hand and with the Little Rock Scripture Study. She also volunteered at her parish, Christ the King Catholic Church. She had a special love for The Cathedral of St. Andrew which she attended while growing up.

A Rosary will be at the Cathedral of St. Andrew on Thursday July 9th at 9:30 a.m. with the Funeral Mass immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the House of Formation at Diocese of Little Rock Vocations Office, P.O. Box 7565, Little Rock, Ark. 72217. Arrangements by Smith Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Virginia’s online guestbook may be signed at www.smithfamilycares.com.