Jacqueline Dena Merritt

To our beautiful and insistently different family member, who’s life brought joy and controversy simultaneously. You will always be loved, remembered, and sorely missed.

Jaqueline Dena Merritt aka “Fritz A. Irwin” a resident of Gonzales, La who passed away on April 19, 2026. Fritz was born August 25, 2005, in Baton Rouge, La.

Fritz spent her first year after graduating high school in Washington State to pursue her passion for Zoology and Paleontology. That was something she had wanted to do since she was very young. Fritz had many hobbies and passions such as drawing, a love for old newspapers, reptiles, books, anime, Comic-Con, adventures with her mom and younger brother, and SO many other things. Her eyes would light up with excitement just by speaking with you about the things she loved.

Fritz is preceded in death by her Great-Grandmother Nathalie Irwin and Great-Grandfather Claude Irwin.

She is survived by her mother Theresa Irwin, her adopted father Thomas Smith, her birthfather Jeremy Merritt, and siblings Dalton Smith and Talon Smith. Also survived by her Grandparents Patrick Irwin and Joyce Irwin, Aunt Amanda Irwin, Uncle Wesley Irwin, and cousins Jordan Ardoin, Kyle Ardoin, and Kassidy Irwin.