PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLA. — Joanne Swett Merchant, 57, of Panama City Beach, Fla., passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, at Covenant Hospice Center in Panama City, Fla. Joanne was born Dec. 8, 1958, in Bar Harbor, to Gordon M. and Catherine (Herrick) Swett. She was the youngest of five children. She graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1977.
Joanne married her high school sweetheart, David B. Merchant of Hancock, on Jan. 24, 1981, while he was stationed at Hill AFB, Utah. She loved to travel and lived in Woodbridge, England, from 1986-1990; Myrtle Beach, S.C., from 1990-1992; Fort Lewis AFB, Tacoma, Wash., from 1992-1994; and Tyndall AFB, Panama City, Fla., from 1995-1996. They were later divorced after bringing three beautiful daughters into this world. She later fell head over heels in love and later married “Sporty” Bob Simcox. They cherished 12 beautiful years with one another. They loved riding their Harley Davidson motorcycles and spending time with their daughters. They were later divorced.
Joanne also had a 10-year relationship with her fiancé, Timothy LePage. She and Tim built a life together and were best friends and lovers. She was always welcomed as an important member of his family, as he was hers. Joanne also remains in the hearts of her fiancé’s family, which includes his two children, their spouses and four very loved grandchildren.
Left to cherish Joanne’s memory is her fiancé, Tim LePage; daughters and sons-in-law Vanessa (Merchant) and Richard Jolly; Brittany Jo (Merchant) and Russell Wheeler; Sarah Merchant and Jensyn Merchant, whom she cherished as her own. She is also survived by her brothers, sisters and in-laws: David and Sue Tracy; Keith and Andrea Swett; Debbie (Tracy) and Steve Winters; Karen (Swett) and Jeffrey Rogers; grandchildren Bentley David Storey and Adalynn Mae Wheeler (to be born March 9, 2016) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
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