Mercedes Frizell Kerr R.N.

Mercedes Deshon Frizell was born in Granada, Nicaragua on July 12, 1925, the daughter of Richard Ernest Frizell and Adela Deshon Frizell. After a childhood in Managua and Chinandega, she attended boarding schools in Managua, Los Angeles, and San Antonio. On June 28, 1947, she married Harvey Cleveland Kerr in San Antonio, where she resided for the remainder of her long life. Soon after her beloved husband's untimely death in 1958, she returned to school. She graduated from Incarnate Word College in 1963, earning a Bachelor of Science degree, and then immediately embarked on a 30-year-long career as a registered nurse. Simultaneously, she managed to raise her six children as a single parent, with the help of her Kerr in-laws. Almost miraculously, she found the time and energy to shower each child with unconditional love. She was very proud of her children and their accomplishments, and considered them to be her life's work. Everyone always felt welcome at her home on Chichester Place. Even as her health declined in recent years, "Mombo" remained the emotional anchor for her large extended family. She never lost her inimitable sense of humor, characterized by perfect comic timing and a repertoire of funny faces, Nicaraguan dichos, and snippets of half-remembered songs. Mercedes was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her tías Deshon; her sister, Leonie Kalthoff; her brother, Ricardo Frizell; and her eldest daughter, Mary Ellen Kerr. She is survived by children, Sara Francis Kerr, Ph.D. (Chad McHugh, Ph.D.), Genevieve Kerr, Mercedes Kerr Stainken (Peter), Joseph Frizell Kerr of Wayne, PA (Laura), and Teresa Kerr; son-in-law, Michael Hobert of Berryville, VA (Mary Jane); nine grandchildren; two great-grandsons; sisters, Carmen Halle (Danville, CA), Adela Roa (Laveen, AZ/Montgomery Village, MD), and Teresa Martinez (Managua, Nicaragua); sister-in-law, Rosemary Kerr; and a score of special nieces and nephews who regard her as their second mother. Mercedes's family expresses deep gratitude to her housekeeper María Cruz for her years of devoted service while Mercedes remained in her home and to the caregivers of St. Francis Nursing Home for their loving attention during her final days. ROSARY/VIGIL FRIDAY DECEMBER 26, 2014 6:00 P.M. PORTER LORING GEORGIAN CHAPEL 1101 McCULLOUGH AVE. FUNERAL MASS SATURDAY DECEMBER 27, 2014 10:00 A.M. ST. PETER PRINCE OF THE APOSTLES CATHOLIC CHURCH 111 BARILLA Immediately following the Mass, a reception will be held at the family home. Celebrant: Father Peter McKenna; Cantor: Laura Childress Kerr. Pallbearers: Joseph Kerr, Michael Hobert, Peter Stainken, Chad McHugh, Joshua Kerr-Hobert, and Dan Kerr-Hobert; Ushers: Juan Carlos Kalthoff, Jim Kerr, Benjamin Stainken, and Brennan Buhl. Interment at a later date will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Francis Nursing Home, 630 W. Woodlawn, San Antonio, TX 78212 or to the charity of your choice. http://www.mysanantonio.com/obituaries/article/Single-mom-Kerr-raised-six-children-as-a-5976322.php