Merle Jean (Eisenbrey) Finnegan, born on Oct. 29, 1925 in Dover, Delaware, to the late Evelyn O. Sapp and the late Preston G. Eisenbrey, passed away at age 92 on May 8, 2018 in Citrus Heights, California. She was also preceded in death by her much loved, younger sister, Betty Ann Eisenbrey. Merle graduated from Cedar Crest College in 1947 after spending her childhood in Dover. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother. Merle was the loving wife of the late Robert R. Finnegan. Merle and Bob were childhood friends and married on Bob's graduation day from USMA, West Point. Merle was an Army wife, who made homes for her family all over the world, settling in Sacramento on Bob's retirement. She and Bob had their children in Oklahoma, Japan, Virginia, Hawaii, and Italy, and she had many funny and interesting stories about their life and adventures in all those places, Dover, and others.
Merle is survived by her son, Michael (Patty) Finnegan; daughters, Joan (Greg) Smith, Patricia (John) Thayer, Candace (Dennis) Timoney, and Christine (Bob) Acrea; and grandchildren, Amy, Anne, Johnny, Emily, Bobby, Jack, Jane, Joe, Beth, Katie, Dan, Ryley, and Sean, as well as nine great-grandchildren. Merle loved Delaware, Joe Biden, travel, playing bridge, opera, dancing, friends, and her family. She took wonderful care of both Bob and her mother in their later years. She will be missed by her friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish, may donate in Merle's name to the USO or a veteran's charity of their choice.