Merrie Ann MillarDec. 15, 1965 - Nov. 20, 2016VisaliaShe burned brightly and too quickly. On November 20, 2016 Merrie Ann Millar, wife, daughter, "adopted" mother, sister and friend, passed away from a brief illness in Santa Cruz, CA. She was known by many locally as the general manager of the Visalia Mall. Merrie Ann always brought professionalism and joy to her staff, her company and to the area in which she lived. A native Californian, born on December 15, 1965, she loved all things about the ocean and the coast. She treasured all animals, especially basset hounds. Merrie Ann brought an animal adoption center into both the Visalia Mall and the Capitola Mall. An accomplished chef, she provided smoked salmon to a local Santa Cruz restaurant and dreamed of one day owning her own restaurant. Merrie Ann gave her heart and her happiness to all she encountered and took in strays - both four-legged and two-legged. She filled two dreams this year by traveling to Paris, France and the Big Island in Hawaii. She is survived by her husband, Chuck Millar of Visalia, her "adopted" son Steve Taylor of Washington, DC, her mother Betty Oswald of Visalia, her sister Melinda Young of Cardiff, CA and her many friends near and far. Merrie Ann requested no services and no flowers. In her memory, donations may be made to Golden Gate Bassett Rescue at www.ggbassetrescue.org or any other animal rescue.