Ayres, Merrily (Kelliher) June 6, 1927 - May 31, 2015 Merrily Ayres passed away in Rocklin on Sunday afternoon, May 31, 2015 with her family by her side. She was born in Brooklyn N.Y. to John Waldrip Kelliher and Lucille Shasta (Hooker) Kelliher. She spent her high school years on the island of Oahu and was a freshman in high school when Pearl Harbor was bombed. She met her husband Frank, a P-51 Mustang pilot, on the big island of Hawaii and married him on July 25, 1945. They enjoyed over 52 years of marriage before Frank's death in 1998. Mrs. Ayres was a 42 year resident of Northern California living in Citrus Heights, Granite Bay, and Rocklin. For close to the last five years of her life, she resided at Casa de Santa Fe, Rocklin, in their assisted living apartments. Merrily Ayres was a long time member of the Christian Science Mother Church in Boston and with the local Roseville C.S. Church. Merrily was a world traveler with numerous trips to Europe and China, along with trips to places like Russia, Turkey, Egypt, Spain, Singapore, Ireland, Hong Kong, and Norway. Many of the trips taken were with her children as well as her husband and often by herself after her husband's death. Merrily Ayres is survived by her daughter Valerie Whisenhunt of Citrus Heights, her two sons and their wives, retired Chief Master Sgt. Paul K. Ayres, and his wife Judith, of Xenia Ohio, and John Ayres, and his wife Joyce, of Rocklin Ca. She is also survived by six grandchildren, one step grandchild, ten great-grand-children, five step great-grand-children and two step great-great-grandchildren. Merrily was preceded in death by her parents, husband Frank L. Ayres, and her son Frank L. Ayres, Jr. A special Thank you to her caregivers and to the entire staff at Casa de Santa Fe. Mrs. Ayres was well taken care of and the love shown to her was always clearly seen. Thanks also go out to Sutter Hospice for the close attention and support that was provided for her during her last few months. Arrangements were entrusted to North Sacramento Funeral Home, Sacramento, Ca. No services will be held, at Mrs. Ayres request.