MABEL ADDIS MERGARDT

Mabel Addis Mergardt, age 92, of Amawalk, NY, died August 13, 2004 in Purdys, NY. Mrs. Mergardt was born May 21, 1912 in Mt. Vernon, NY, to James and Mabel (Wood) Holmes. She was valedictorian of the graduating class of 1929 at Brewster High School, a graduate of Barnard College in New York City, receiving a degree in ancient history and a minor in psychology, and she received her masters in education from Teachers College-Columbia University in New York City. Mrs. Mergardt married Alexander L. Addis on May 9, 1942. Mr. Addis died in 1981. Mrs. Mergardt then married Gerard Mergardt on December 13, 1991. Mr. Mergardt died in 1995. Mrs. Mergardt began her teaching career at the Doanesburgh one-room rural school in Brewster, NY, in 1935, teaching eight elementary grades in one school. In 1937, she taught for eight years at the old Hyatt Avenue School in Mt. Kisco, NY which later became part of the Bedford Central School District. Mrs. Mergardt began a 26-year teaching career in 1950 at the Katonah-Lewisboro Central School District. She retired in 1976. In addition to her membership in the Katonah United Methodist Church which included teaching Sunday School and her involvement in in the United Methodist Women, Mrs. Mergardt was involved in many memberships though the years including the Board of Education of the Brewster Central School District and the BOCES Board of Education; the centennial committee, book committee and history committee of the Katonah Village Improvement Society; co-author of Katonah: a History of a New York Village; and the Katonah Civic Club; secretary/treasurer of the Bedford Farmers Club, Co-author of 'Brewster Through the Years' (a centennial of Brewster-1848-1948). Mrs. Mergardt worked for five summers with BOCES and IBM as a pioneer writer, helping to develop the 'Sumerian Game', a computer teaching method. In the late 1970's and through the 1980's, Mrs. Mergardt was president of the Somers Historical Society; Musuem Committee Chairman; co-author of the bi-centennial book on History of Somers; member of Town of Somers Republican Committee. In the Brewster area she was chairman of Brewster's bicentennial; volunteer at the Southeast Museum; member of the Brewster Landmarks Preservation Society; and co-author of 'History of Southeast' 1988. An avid traveler, Mrs. Mergardt shared her experiences through slide shows to many area organizations. Mrs. Mergardt is survived by a daughter, Alexandra A. Johnson of Amawalk, NY, three grandsons, Robert, Erik and Christopher; and three great-grandchildren, Lukas, William and Skye. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 18, 2004 at Old Southeast Church, RT 22, Brewster, NY at 2 PM. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Landmarks Preservation Society-Doanesburgh School fund. BEECHER FUNERAL HOME, INC. 1 Putnam Ave., Brewster (845) 279-3615