Merilyn R. (Geller) Kennedy

59, of Cranston, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 1, 2022 surrounded by her loving family.  She was the longtime companion of Stephen F. Popiel.

Born in Warwick, she was a daughter of the late Mitchell and Jean (Krasnow) Geller.

She received her Bachelors Degree in English from Rhode Island College.

Merilyn enjoyed writing and was a reporter for the Warwick Beacon, Cranston Herald and the Johnston Sunrise.

She has served as the Executive Director of the Cranston Chamber of Commerce and was inducted into the Cranston Hall of Fame. A breast cancer survivor, she was active with the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.

Besides her companion, she leaves her daughter, Jennifer R. Rawson and her husband Christopher of Whitinsville, MA; two granddaughters, Maddison and Amelia Rawson; a sister, Lorri Perry and her husband Carl of Manassas, VA; a brother, Arnold Geller and his wife Maureen of Warwick; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Merilyn’s Life will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Defenders of Animals, P.O. Box 5634
Weybosset Hill Station, Providence, RI 02903-0634.