Helen Merrill

Helen Lynnwood Merrill is a doctor of obstetrics and general surgery, and ran a practice out of Mclean, Virginia for over forty years. She was married to Jason Merrill; her children are David and Judith Merrill.

Despite being in excellent health for her age, Helen died in 2009 of an unexpected embolism in the brain.

Early Life
Helen grew up in a military area, so she was proficient with basic firearms thanks to her WAC-enlisted mother, but wanted to be a doctor like her father. Helen's parents hid their Jewish heritage from everyone but a few trusted, close friends, knowing what kind of prejudice and bigotry their daughter would be subjected to if they were to do otherwise.

After she finished medical school, Helen "came out" as Jewish in the mid-1950s in protest about how her people were treated. As a result, she could only find work in military-run hospitals and clinics, which is how she met Jason Merrill, who came into her clinic in 1957 with a bullet lodged in his arm after a training exercise went sideways. She mocked him relentlessly while admiring his eyes; Jason said "Yes, ma'am" and "No, ma'am" while falling head-over-heels in love.

Personal Life
She still observed Jewish religious holidays and a semi-kosher diet, but learned to tolerate bacon for her husband's sake.

She considered Django Whetū, Makani 'Aukai, and their family to be her family. David and Judith think of Django as a brother.

Helen retired from full-time work in 1991, but wouldn't fully give up obstetrics until osteoperosis made it too painful to continue in 1999.