Merilee Arleen French
Aug 20, 1953 -
Nov 23, 2025
Merilee "Meri" Arleen French, 72, passed away on Nov. 23, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska, with her first-born, Micalle Culver, at her bedside.
Many of her eight children, Micalle, Megan Denny (Justin Denny Jr.), Monica Bradbury (Scott Stewart), Micrea Culver, Velvet Bright (Ken Bright), Lacey Szybnski, JonPaul Szybnski (Tayler Szybnski) and Lorelle Szybnski; three "littles," Pearl French, Harlinn French and Danynn French; 23 additional grandchildren, Andrea Bernard (Cy Young), Alyssa Carlson (Jake Carlson), Haliegh Culver, Khaira LaQuitara (Gio LaQuitara), Justin Denny III (Keahi Denny), Molly Denny, Lillia Bradbury, Oaklynn Bradbury, Stone Culver, Berlyn Holland, Jonaven Weber, Jaaven Weber, Daxten Quinones, Romee Bright, Ryli Roy, Kyla Roy, Kaydia Trahan, Brynn Bosch, Paxton Szybnski, Mason Szybnski, Marcus Szybnski, Waylen Shockey and Trillion Szybnski; and 14 great-grandchildren, Aston, Kai, Trey, baby boy, Presly, Sebastian, Everly, Julian, Spencer, Oliver, Poppy, Tatum, Theodore and Beau, were by her side in the moments leading up to and immediately following her last breath.
In addition to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she is survived by older sisters Barb, Sandy and Judy; and younger brother, Bill. She was preceded in death by her mother, Faith Miriam Butterfield; father, John French; and sister, Julie. She was the favorite auntie to many nieces and nephews.
Merilee was born in Everett, Wash. on Aug. 20, 1953. She moved to Alaska with her first husband, Steve Culver, in 1971, and began working toward her lifelong dream of filling the earth by having four daughters. She married Jim Szybnski in 1984, and finished Phase 1 of that plan with three more daughters and a son.
Because they outnumbered the days of the week, Merilee's kids were made to feel special in unique and thoughtful ways, like "alone turns" to have lunch with her, and goodnight kisses, one for each year of their lives. Those years were filled with hosting birthday parties and family holiday gatherings, whether everyone could comfortably fit into her modest homes or not. All she ever really cared about was which babies were in the room.
She believed in always saying "I love you" before goodbye. She blew kisses out the window to her long-distance loved ones. She had beautiful handwriting and often spent her days writing thoughts and poetry. Her laugh was infectious and her smile was radiant. She loved dancing and singing, especially Patsy Cline at karaoke and any song that she was reminded of when any of her kids told her any story about anything. She randomly brought home way too much candy and junk food for weekend movie nights in winter or packed a cooler and tent to camp at local lakes in summer. It was chaos and love, love and chaos.
Merilee spent her final days surrounded by her legacy: the 48 people she is directly responsible for putting on this earth, each of whom she loved, and who loved her, bigger than the sky.
Her remains will be spread on Mommy's Mountain. A memorial will be held 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at the American Legion Post 15, 1550 S. Mystic Circle in Palmer, Alaska. Anyone who would like to celebrate Merilee's life or share a memory is welcome to attend.
