“Avery”

Avery Elizabeth Merritt, born February 27, 2009, passed away in late December 2025 after a long battle with anorexia, a severe and often misunderstood mental health disorder.

She had a love for volleyball and grew her skills while playing for Premier travel teams, Sandsharks beach team and Sussex Technical High School.

She is survived by her parents Russell Merritt and Tina Dombroski, brothers Jackson Merritt and Nathan Young, and grandmother Janice Merritt.

Chelsea, Jason Poore’s daughter, was close friends with Avery. Jason, a member of the CFU community, wrote her workout and requested that we complete it in honor of Avery’s life.

This Saturday we’ll pay respects to Avery and bring awareness to this awful mental health disorder.

Read more here: Cape Gazette