Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

December 26, 2025

CHARLOTTE – Merrill Frances Breighner, age 79, passed away peacefully after a long illness on Friday, December 26, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina, surrounded by her loving family.

Merrill was born on July 8, 1946, in Washington, D.C., to Thomas Waring Hardy and Sarah Merrill (Cross) Hardy.  She was raised in Washington, D.C. with her siblings, Mary Anne Hardy, Thomas Waring Hardy Jr., and Elizabeth DeLuca.

Merrill was a proud graduate of Notre Dame Academy in Washington, D.C. in 1964.  She matriculated at the University of Kentucky and York College of Pennsylvania, earning a B.S.in Business Administration.  Her career included human resource roles at Leader Nursing and Keystone Community Mental Health and business management for Valley Green Land Development.

Merrill was widowed after the passing of her first husband, Richard Flynn, with whom she shared her first daughter, Karen.  In 1978, Merrill married Jeffrey Breighner, and together they built a strong and caring partnership of 43 years, until his death in 2021.  Merrill and Jeff raised three children: Karen, Joe, and Emily.  Jeff and Merrill shared many meaningful years together. They made their home in Etters, Pennsylvania for much of their lives before relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2018.

Merrill is survived by her three children and six cherished grandchildren: her daughter, Karen Devore, and husband, Tom, of Charlotte, North Carolina, and their children, Jacob and Matthew; her son, Joe Breighner, and his wife, Jami, of Etters, Pennsylvania, and their children, Sam and Ada; and her daughter, Emily Kowalski, and her husband, Michael, of Brevard, North Carolina, and their children, Graham and Mae. She was predeceased by her grandson, Michael.

Merrill’s compassion, gentleness, and humility will endure.  Her quiet grace and loving presence will be missed by all who knew her.  Merrill loved music, enjoyed playing card games, and cherished family vacations at the beach. 

Merrill cherished her Catholic faith and held a strong devotion to Mary.  She was actively involved in church communities throughout her life.  While living in Etters, Pennsylvania, she was a longtime officer of the Holy Infant Parish Council of Catholic Women, a teacher in the Holy Infant CCD program, and a longtime officer in the York Diocese Council of Catholic Women, dedicating herself to faith, service, and community.

Merrill Breighner’s life will be celebrated at a funeral mass at 10:15 AM on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.  The family will receive friends following the service in the Assembly Room at the church.  Her inurnment will be private at Forest Lawn East Cemetery in Matthews, NC.

Memorials may be made in Merrill’s memory to the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte, NC 28210.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606.  Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.