Betty Rowe Mercurio

Betty Rowe Mercurio
1927 - 2025
Betty Rowe Mercurio, age 97, of Fairfield, Connecticut, beloved wife of the late Domenic "Merk" Mercurio, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2025, surrounded by her family.
She is survived by her two loving children, Tom and Carey Mercurio, daughter-in-law, Yvette Mercurio, grandchildren Wendy Mercurio, Sarah Mercurio and Kristy Mercurio, five great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Cora and Henry Rowe and her sister, "Boots" Gilleran.
A lifelong resident of Fairfield, Betty grew up swimming out to Penfield Reef Lighthouse with her parents, fishing in the Sound with her father, and playing field hockey at Roger Ludlowe High School.
Together with her husband and family, she welcomed customers into Mercurio's Market, a 100-year-old Fairfield institution. Betty was often the voice on the other end of the line as customers called with orders-but instead of orders, she often engaged them to the point of planning their menus and giving tips on how to prepare it.
Later in life, she explored woodworking, making many beloved family heirlooms, including the family dinner table, where four generations have shared and created life-long memories. At the age of 50, she enrolled in nursing school and was the oldest member of her class. She later volunteered at Bridgeport Hospital and St. Thomas Aquinas in Fairfield, bringing comfort to those around her.
With a genuine smile, lively sense of humor, and infectious laughter, she had a special gift to connect with everyone who crossed her path, making each feel special. She was known as the neighborhood mom-the door was always open for a conversation, and a stack of pancakes was on the table every Saturday for whoever wandered in. Her family-and so many people were considered family-knew a warm hug was always on the other end of a greeting and that every gathering was just more fun when she was there. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren always looked forward to their special time together with their "Gam." They and all of us will miss her presence dearly.
Friends are invited to greet her family on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at the Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home, 50 Reef Road, in Fairfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, with interment to follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Memorial Sloan Kettering, 633 3rd Ave., 5th Floor, New York, NY 10017, https://giving.mskcc.org , or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284, https://www.dana-farber.org . To send an online condolence, please visit www.shaughnesseybanks.com .