Merri-Ann has taught playschool for the last 15 years, the last 5 years with the Parkview Playschool. She has her BSc. in Family Studies, through the Faculty of Home Economics (now known as Human Ecology) and has courses toward her MSc. She is certified as a Child Development Supervisor with Alberta Children and Youth Services.

Merri-Ann and her husband John have three sons, one daughter-in-law and one granddaughter.