Mrs. Thorman taught Art and English.

Our beloved, and talented MERILEE JOAN ANDERSON THORMAN passed away on the 14th of December 2008. She was born on the 31st of August 1942 to her parents, Janet Horstman Anderson and James Allen Anderson in Baytown, Texas.

Merilee received a BA in English and Fine Arts from the University of Texas. Her passion for music, art, and design continued throughout her life. Merilee lived in Plainview and Houston, teaching art and journalism.

She married David Thorman on the 8th of April 1966. Her joy was having two daughters, Caillouet Fayre Thorman and Kendall Field Thorman. Her grandson, Toby Osterloh, captured her heart when he was born on the 26th of April 2006. Merilee was a caring mother and grandmother and a loving friend to so many.

She also worked as a professional designer. Talented and creative, her own work in oil was exhibited and sold under the name Anderson Thorman. She collected crèches and published scholarly research on folk and religious art. Her favorite pastimes were reading and needlepoint.

She is survived by her parents, James Allen Anderson and Janet Horstman Anderson of Houston, TX; her daughter and son-in-law, Cai and Frank Osterloh and grandson, Toby Osterloh of Sacramento, California, and her daughter, Kendall Thorman of Stow, Ohio; her sister, Carole Gilbreath and her husband, Jon Gilbreath; and her brother, Lawford Anderson and his wife, Jean Morrison; as well as cousins and their families: Jan Swartz, Wendy Gilbreath, Tyson, Chris, Jonathan, James and Sarah Anderson and her aunt, Ruby Marshall of Tallahassee, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Norma and James Allen Anderson, Helena and Harold Worner, and her godparents, Fay Evelyn and Harold Scarborough.

The memorial service will be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 20th of December, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston with the Rev. Reagan Cocke, Associate Rector of The Episcopal Church of St. John the Divine, will serve as the officiant.

In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions in memory of Merilee Thorman may be directed to Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002.