MARY MERGNER Obituary

MERGNER In Loving Memory Of MARY KATHERINE POWERS MERGNER March 1, 1936 - January 24, 2017 Katherine Mergner, age 80, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2017 with her children by her side. Loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Katherine was born on March 1, 1936 in Washington, DC. She graduated from the Academy of the Holy Names Catholic High School in Silver Spring, MD. Following graduation, she went to work as a secretary for the FBI in Washington, DC and later for Perpetual Federal Savings and Loan Association in Washington where she met her husband, John G. Mergner Sr., before starting a family in 1957. A woman of strong Catholic faith, Katherine derived her greatest joy from her love of family, and her selfless giving and doing for others throughout her entire life. Known for her ease in conversation with even total strangers, she possessed a contagious smile, entertaining sense of humor, and a sweet and simple demeanor that won the love, friendship, respect and hearts of many. Katherine's signature gifts of unconditional love, patience, kindness, compassion for others, and love of life will never be forgotten by those whose lives she touched. She will be forever remembered and missed dearly. Katherine is survived by her five children, Colleen Mergner Ryan (Gerry), Jack Mergner (Chrissy), Kenneth Mergner (Annika), Susan Mergner Ribot (Stephane), and Thomas Mergner (Stacey); eleven grandchildren, Kelly, Michael, Megan, Melissa, Patrick, Debbie, Michelle, Scott, Tyler, Alex, and Oliver; great granddaughter Saige; sister M. Jeanne Selkis, brother Joseph W. (Sonny) Powers, Jr., and other extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph W. Powers, Sr. and Isabelle Noble Powers, granddaughter Kirsten D. Mergner (18), and sister Dorothy P. McShea. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 30 at 11 a.m., St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 6900 River Road, Bethesda, MD. Interment to immediately follow at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Katherine's family 30 minutes before the Mass at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Katherine's name to Holy Cross Home Care & Hospice, 10720 Columbia Pike, 2nd Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20901, or to Carriage Hill Bethesda, 5215 W. Cedar Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Katherine's name to Holy Cross Home Care & Hospice, 10720 Columbia Pike, 2nd Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20901, or to Carriage Hill Bethesda, 5215 W. Cedar Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814.

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Published by The Washington Post from Jan. 27 to Jan. 29, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for MARY MERGNER

Sponsored by Sue Mergner-Ribot.

10 Entries

John Selkis

January 21, 2021

The older I get the more I miss the summer days in Bethesda when we would visit the Mergner family and enjoy the innocence of childhood. Aunt Katherine was always the happy warrior no matter what we were up to. Those memories will never fade but will only grow fonder with time.

Sue Ribot

January 21, 2021

Mom it has been 4 years without you...there is not a day that goes by that I do not look up in the sky and think of you! I miss your smile, your optimism about life, being able to talk to you and hug you!
I love you
Sue

Sue Ribot

January 21, 2020

Mom,
Thinking of you and there is not a day that goes by that I dont think of your smile, your generosity for anyone in need and your love for all of your kids, family and friends!
I miss you so much and love you ❤
Sue
2020

Rick Addie

May 5, 2018

I did not hear about this until now. So sad to hear about Mrs. Mergner. I remember growing up at the Mergners in the 70's, she was the nicest lady. I can still remember her always offering food anytime I was over. I remember going to the Mergners just to watch Happy Days and have dinner. I really miss those old days with the Mergner family. They would invite you up just to swim in the pool, it was like family. She was a special person who would do anything for you anytime.

Lynne Spector

January 30, 2017

There is no loss greater than that of your mother. For better or worse life gives us this gift. Our faith tells us we are not perfect but we alone walk this path. This is not good bye but until we meet again. My love goes out to all of you and to remember that who you are is a result of who your mother was.

Sue Mergner-Ribot

January 28, 2017

To my Mom,

There are no words that can describe the hole in heart that has been left with you leaving! You were the most amazing Mom always thinking of others and giving of your self when someone needed to be cared for or loved!We all know there were very difficult times in your life...but you always over came them...even in the end with the pain you experienced you never once complained. When asked right up till the day before you passed....people asked how you were and you said just fine.
As the end came near my only way to deal with your approaching death was the faith that you always held about seeing Mimi, Grandpop and Aunt Dorthy....I knew how long you waited to see them again and how excited you were for that day to come.
With each passing day as you struggled to breath I said to Coll and Tom that the reason you stayed with us so long and your heart kept beating was because you had the biggest heart of anyone I knew and it just would not stop beating. I knew you also held on for all of us... your kids...when we thought you were in a deep sleep in the final days and you heard me cry or Colleeen cry I could not believe that you opened your eyes and in a whisper told us not to cry because you were still here....
I only hope that I will be as strong as you, loving, forgiving and generous as I continue to lead my life, and together with Stephane raise Alex and Oliver to be like you.
You will be my in my heart and thoughts everyday of my life until we see each other again in heaven.
I love you so much Mom ❤
Sue

Rudy Marginot

January 28, 2017

I was crushed to hear the news. She was like a second mother to all of us. She treated all of us as if we were her own children. Kindness, generosity, caring and also stern. It did not matter if in Bethesda, or the beach house. Always welcoming and gracious. I remember the high school weekends when she would try to put a ten or twenty into my hand before going out on the town with Tommy. If you showed up at dinner, she would sit you down at the table like you were her own. I will never forget my last conversation with her. We laughed and smiled and said "remember when_?" The last thing she said to me was, if I ever come to town and no one has room for me, to call her day or night and she will find somewhere for me to stay. That is the special kind of person she always was. She will be missed.

Dee

January 27, 2017

My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. I hope that the promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 can bring comfort. Knowing that there is a hope for our love ones lost in death can be reassuring.

January 27, 2017

To the Mergner family,

Our condolences on the passing of Aunt Catherine.
I will always cherish the memories of Aunt Catherine and her care free and funny personality.
They are some of my favorite childhood memories.
Our many pilgrimages to Bethesda for those member guest golf tournaments were always made more special because of Aunt Catherine and her attention to us. She always made us feel welcomed and loved even when we misbehaved.(watermelon fights)
Now we trust God to lead her home, for He has promised that he has prepared a place for those who love him, that where He is we will be also.

With love and sadness,

John, Jennifer and family

Joseph Powers

January 27, 2017

It is with great sadness we mourn the passing of a special sister but with joy that we know of the special reunion of her presence with her Lord Jesus and all of our great family . Oh my what a celebration. Our sincere love and condolences to all of the family members. Our prayers and hugs will be with you all. One thing we know that a very special Angel is added to heaven. Uncle Sonny and Aunt Pat

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