Sept. 23, 1973 — April 19, 2024
Merilee Pearl Ford Barrera died surrounded by her family on Friday, April 19, 2024, at home in Ashland, two months after she was diagnosed with her fourth cancer and 50 years after she arrived in this world to lead a life of joy, bravery, determination, pain and laughter.
Merilee was born to Bruce and Diana Ford in Watertown, South Dakota, on Sept. 23, 1973. Merilee’s fiery spirit, which she attributed to her Grandma Pearl and Grandma Peg, served her well during years of adversity, while her optimism and courage inspired us all. She was the brightest of lights.
Merilee graduated from Watertown High School in 1992 and California State University, Long Beach, in 2002 with a degree in theater costume design. She married Gabriel Barrera, the love of her life, on July 14, 2007. Together, they navigated the complex world of Merilee’s health, raised their beloved cats Chula and Xochitl, and ran ScenicG, a visual art and design company infused with social justice awareness.
Merilee held many jobs and did each exceptionally well, whether it was framing art and arranging flowers or managing million-dollar budgets. Merilee always said her full-time job, however, was managing her Type 1 diabetes. Merilee worked in theater across Southern California before joining the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 2008. Her work as the OSF costume shop director and as a member of the 2016 artEquity cohort revolutionized equity, diversity and inclusion throughout the theater industry and advanced anti-racism practices.
She joined Rogue Climate shortly before her final health crisis and spent her last months working with a welcoming, inclusive team who she adored and who adored her.
Fearless and selfless, Merilee lived a unique and authentic life that gave her friends, coworkers, caregivers and family a blueprint for how to be unapologetically yourself. She had an iconic laugh and a sense of style that people never forgot and a fierce tenacity tempered by kindness and compassion. Her pain and health challenges compounded through the years, yet translated into love rather than bitterness. She demanded the best her doctors could give, and what they learned from her will continue to benefit an untold number of patients.
Merilee loved to cuddle her cats, cook for friends and family and garden. In addition to her husband, Gabriel, of Ashland and parents, Bruce and Diana Ford of Watertown, survivors include sisters Emily Ford (Charlie Brown) of Salisbury, North Carolina, and Laura Ford (Josh Devine) of Portland, Oregon.; niblings Henry Brown, Eleanor Brown, Clara Brown, Lola Ford Devine, and Gus Ford Devine; in-laws Pete, Josie, and Michael Barrera of Lakewood, California; and many beloved cousins, aunts and uncles.
A celebration of her life will be held June 1 at the Forest Conservation Burial Ground in Ashland. A private burial will take place April 27.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to Rogue Climate, PO Box 1980, Phoenix OR 97535; and Vesper Meadow Education Program, 2640 E. Barnett Road, Suite E #130, Medford OR 97504.
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