Ellsworth
Jordan René Merchant, 25, unexpectedly passed away on May 14, 2022, when she was involved in a car accident.
Jordan was born on April 13, 1997, in Ellsworth to parents Shawn Merchant and Jamie Griffin.
Throughout her high school years Jordan could be seen spending the majority of her time on the Sumner Memorial High School basketball court, where she played varsity all four years. Jordan led her team to the Bangor Auditorium playoff tournaments, the first time Sumner basketball has done so in the last 20 years.
Following high school, Jordan took some time to find herself and decide who she wanted to be. She spent part of that time in Bar Harbor, where she learned to tend bar. Not long after she became the manager of a well-known Bar Harbor restaurant.
It was during this time that Jordan discovered her love for bartending, and met her soon-to-be boyfriend Eric. Jordan and Eric established their life together in Moscow, where Jordan worked on Sugarloaf Mountain, then later at Boatman’s Bar and Grill in the Forks. Jordan’s love for bartending allowed her to excel in the restaurant business.
Jordan was known by many for her care-free attitude. When she set her sights on something, she did it without a second thought or regret. She was loved by so many, and a mentor to more than she realized. Anyone lucky enough to befriend Jordan saw her as family, not just a friend. She had a genuine soul and was never shy with her thoughts.
Jordan is survived by her parents, Shawn Merchant Sr. and Jamie Griffin; stepmother Jennifer Merchant; and Jamie’s partner Adam Grindle. She is further survived by her best friend and sister Taylor Merchant and Taylor’s partner McKay McLean; brothers Shawn Merchant Jr., Aiden Griffin, Andrew Griffin, Jeremy Griffin, Ian Sims, Jeremy Merchant, Mike Holmes and his wife, Shelby; grandmother Kathy Griffin and her partner Randy Matthews; grandfather Clayton Griffin; grandfather John Merchant Sr. and grandmother Mary Ring; step-grandparents Michael and Nancy Madore; uncle Jeremy Griffin and aunt Megan Griffin; uncle John Merchant Jr. and aunt Ashleigh Merchant; and special friends Taylor Davis, Julianne Wheeler and Jordan Crosby. Jordan is also survived by her boyfriend, Eric Tankerly, her two cats Paw-Paw and Molly, and seven guinea pigs; Moose, Darla, Remington, Petunia, Louisa, Mable and Butterscotch.
A memorial service will be held on May 29, 2022, at 1 p.m. in the Sumner Memorial High School gym. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Jordan Merchant Scholarship Fund, which is created for future students wishing to attend trade schools, as Jordan spent a year and a half attending a trade school, where she learned welding technology. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 1372, Ellsworth, ME 04605.
Jordan, there is no better friend than a sister, and no better sister than you. Until we meet again bes fran.