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Photographer: Marsha A. Matson
Taken: May 10, 2014
Caption: Althea Fink Merrick Monument Plaque
Additional Description: Althea Fink Merrick
(1859 - 1937)
Dedicated to the City of Coral Gables by
The Coral Gables Garden Club
Monument Project Co-Chairwomen:
Mrs. Larry H. Adams and Mrs. Evelyn J. Budde

The members of the Coral Gables Garden Club provided the leadership that initiated, planned, designed, funded, constructed and dedicated the Althea Fink Merrick Monument as a gift to the Coral Gables Community. Their goal was to generate greater appreciation for Althea Fink Merrick and her pivotal role as a pioneer woman and community leader. Her steady inspiration and perseverance throughout freezes, floods, droughts, bad economies and sickness emboldened her family to great achievement and success. A natural leader, she founded the first school in the area, helped found the Coral Gables Garden Club, Coral Gables Woman's Club, and the Coral Gables Congregational Church. She also influenced her son, George E. Merrick, to create and develop the City of Coral Gables. The foundation of Coral Gables cultural, artistic, educational and religious attributes can rightfully be traced to her. Althea Fink Merrick is truly a family and community matriarch.

"Our Mother"
Our friend who is always the same
More true, there is no other
Her love, the same in strife or fame
She's our best friend, our mother
-George E. Merrick

Dedicated October 27, 2010
Submitted: May 11, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida.
Database Locator Identification Number: p273000
File Size: 0.422 Megabytes

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