Merle Ann Raisanen Malinowski died peacefully in her sleep at home at 7:12 P. M. Friday, February  10, 2017.

Merle was born on July 23, 1944 to Grace A. (Fox) Raisanen and William M. Raisanen. She was a graduate of Harbor High School in 1962 where she was homecoming queen. She was an active member of Rainbow Girls and later Eastern Star.

Following graduation from high school, Merle went on to attend Kent State University Ashtabula from 1962 until 1964, and she then attended UPMC Hamot School of Nursing where she graduated magna cum laude in 1967 with a Registered Nurse degree.

Following graduation from Hamot, Merle worked at Ashtabula County Medical Center (Ashtabula General Hospital) from 1967 through 1970 where she worked on every unit, and she was instrumental in opening the hospital’s first Intensive Care Unit.

On November 14, 1971, Merle married the late Dr. Marion N. Malinowski, M.D. at Lake Avenue United Methodist Church in Ashtabula. Later she gave birth to her son, Mark Nicholas and her daughter, Megan Ann to who she was a devoted mother and friend.

Merle then returned to nursing, and she worked in the Ashtabula County Medical Center (ACMC) emergency room from 1988 – 2007 where she once again was instrumental in opening the new emergency department in 1997.  Upon retirement from ACMC, she worked briefly at University Hospital Geneva Medical Center emergency room from 2007 – 2008. She then joined her children in Columbus, Ohio where she worked at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center from 2008 until 2011 where she once again was instrumental in opening the University’s Clinical Decision Unit.

Merle is survived by her son Dr. Mark N. Malinowski, D.O. (Brooke) of Columbus, her daughter Megan A. Malinowski (Ameer) of Ottawa Hills, her beloved Shi-poo dog Gracie, her sister Karen Raisanen of Mentor, niece Joanne Abruzzino of Wickliffe, nephew David Abruzzino (Lori) of North Ridgeville, and her cousins Thomas Henretta (Deb) of Aurora, Gregory Henretta of Ashtabula, Susan Dunn (Jerry) and Dr. William Steinbrink (Patty) both of Erie, PA.

Merle is preceded in death by husband Dr. Marion N. Malinowski of Ashtabula, her parents Grace A. and William M. Raisanen of Ashtabula, her beloved German Shepherd dog Heidi, and her cousins Sandra (Henretta) Boneham of Bradenton, FL, Jean (Scheiwe) Steinbrink of Erie, Jack Fannis and Carol Swanson both of Ashtabula and several aunts and uncles.  

Merle leaves hugs and kisses to her family, friends and all those she took care of and hopefully helped. She had friends from all walks of life.

Memorial services will be held Friday at 7:00 P. M.  at the Ashtabula Home of Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors and Crematory, 526 W. Prospect Rd., Ashtabula with the Rev. Thomas Orr officiating.  Visitation will be held Friday from 4-7 P. M. prior to the service.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Merle’s name to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Northern Ohio Chapter, 5700 Brecksville Road, 3rd Floor, Independence, Ohio 44131 or at www.lls.org/northern-ohio.  The Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors and staff are honored to serve the Merle Malinowski family.  Visit fleming-billman.com to view obituary, express condolences or light a candle.

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