Merle Irani's Obituary
Merle Irani
December 17, 1936 - May 10, 2026
Mrs. Merle Irani was a beloved resident of Miami-Dade County for nearly 30 years, having made her home in The Crossings neighborhood of Kendall after relocating from Atlanta, Georgia in December 1996. Before her time in Atlanta, Merle lived in Karachi, Pakistan, where she was a devoted member of Christ the King Church.
Above all else, Merle’s greatest joy and purpose in life was her family. Being a wife, mother, grandmother, and “Gigi” to her great-grandsons filled her heart completely. She began her professional life as a nurse, dedicating herself to caring for others, and after settling in Miami, she continued that spirit of service by volunteering at Baptist Hospital for many years.
Merle had a remarkable gift for making people feel loved and cared for. With her knitting needles, she created beautiful works of art, and in the kitchen, she worked magic with her treasured collection of spices and unforgettable recipes. Her home was always filled with warmth, laughter, and the comforting aroma of Grammy’s cooking — a place where not only her children and grandchildren, but also their friends, always felt welcome.
In her later years, Merle found joy in life’s simple pleasures: knitting, solving sudoku puzzles, and watching her favorite television programs. She faithfully watched The Young and the Restless, Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy! for decades, and as her granddaughters grew older, Say Yes to the Dress became a cherished favorite they enjoyed together.
Merle built her family upon a foundation of unwavering faith in God, strong family values, resilience, and unconditional love. She carried herself with remarkable strength, grace, and determination — always with a generous touch of sass and spice that made her unforgettable to everyone who knew her.
Merle is survived by her devoted husband, Meherwan Irani; her son, Eddie Irani, and his wife, Linda Kliment; and her daughter, Armeen Irani, and her husband, Roland Zach. She also leaves behind her cherished granddaughters: Keonna Johnson and her son Eric (8); Kathryn Miller and her wife Kayla Miller; Jessica Johnson, her husband Jose Baca, and their sons Miles (5) and Wesley (2); and Vanessa Zach and her husband David Mangabadi, whose son Theo is due August 2026.
She is also survived by her younger brother, Aubrey Stevens; her younger sister, Vera Umar, and her family; her sister-in-law, Hilda Stevens, and her children. Merle was preceded in death by her sister Jean and her brothers Richard and Derek Stevens.
A memorial service celebrating Merle’s life will be held at Central Presbyterian Church on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. The address for the church is 12455 SW 104th St, Miami, FL 33186.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to the Sisters of Nazareth Girls Rising project in India.
The donations will be in memory of Merle Irani
https://nazareth.org/project/girls-rising/
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