Mary Hierl

Mary Hierl passed on December 13, 2024, at age 99 in Fort Mill SC. She was born Oct 4, 1925, in London, England to Henry Hughes of Dundalk, Ireland, and Emily Bentley of Luton, England. She was especially proud of her Irish heritage.

At the beginning of WWII Mary was evacuated from London with her Catholic School to Wales for the duration of the war. She immigrated in 1955 with her then-husband Louis Zimmerman and children Michael and Jane first to Hamilton Ontario, then to Binghamton NY where she enjoyed participating with her children in the Chenango Bridge community and school events.

Mary remarried in 1967 to James Hierl. They have been happily married for 57 years in an especially loving and devoted relationship. In 1969 they moved to Oklahoma City where Jim was an engineer for GE/Honeywell/Control Data. Mary studied interior design and was a volunteer parole officer and bailiff before returning to college and earning her Bachelor's in Nutrition and Journalism at OCU. Jim and Mary spent most of their retirement years in Asheville NC where they were avid Life Master duplicate bridge players. Mary also achieved the distinguished rank of Diamond Life Master.

Survivors include Mary's husband Jim, children Michael (Phyllis) Zimmerman, and Jane (Richard) Perske, grandchildren Lori (Scott) Mayer, Erika (Luke) Stritsman, Sarah (Matej) Perske Znidarcic, step-children Bob Hierl, Art (Sandy) Hierl, Paul (Sherry) Hierl and all their children. Many great-grandchildren/step-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins in England and Ireland also survive. She was preceded in death by step-daughter Holly Hierl who sadly passed away in April. Mary had a very special relationship with Holly's daughters Mercedes, Heather, and Laura and was grateful for all the assistance they and Holly so willingly gave them during their 5-year residency at Blake Assisted Living.

Mary had a deep appreciation of music and art. She loved ballroom dancing and social events. She was fashionable, elegant, and young at heart - always wanting to try something new. She had a talent for designing patterns and sewing clothing of the times. Mary's favorite place to be was a warm sunny beach, hosting many family gatherings at seaside resorts.

We take those happy memories with us as we celebrate her life and take comfort that she was blessed with the Peace of Jesus Christ in her last moments on earth. The family would like to thank Fr. Kevin O'Connor of St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church and the caregivers at Blake, Home Instead, Right at Home, and Agape Hospice for their loving kindness and compassion for Mary and a special thanks to granddaughter Heather Dodge for always going above and beyond.