Mercedes Rogers

After a long and difficult battle to which she calmly and courageously stood up to, Mercedes lost her fight to metastatic sarcoma of the soft tissue on Sept. 17, 2018. She was 76 years old. Mercedes was born on Jan. 10, 1942 in Braddock, Pa., to Michael and Catherine Motkowski. Surrounded by a large family, her Polish roots and Roman Catholic faith were the foundation on which she drew her unusual strength and her loving, effervescent nature. A connsumate nurturer in all facets of her life professionally and personally, she met life head on and intentionally, with humility, love, laughter and grace. Her loving sacrifices and warm sense of humor were gifts to those around her, and by which she will be always be remembered. Mercedes enjoyed sports, with particular affinity for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings. She was a wonderful gardener, and saw the beauty in all living things. During her life, she lived in many states and had many homes, and in every case, she left things much more beautiful than before. Mercedes made a conscious effort to have a positive impact on every life she touched. Her genuine presence and never ending encouragement will be deeply missed by all, but none more so than the family she treasured above all else. She will be greeted into the kingdom of God by those who have preceded her; Parents Michael and Catherine Motkowski, sons, Phillip Gerard and Timothy William, and countless other beloved family and friends. She is survived by her treasured husband of 56 years Bill; children, Mark (Ann) Rogers of Savage, Minn., Mary (Jim) Reiff and Michelle (Jeff) Hopkins of Salisbury; brother, Michael (Jeannie) Motkowski of Gainesville, Ga.; grandchildren, Rachel and Grace Rogers, Kathlyn, Kaeli and James Reiff Jr, Angel, Cole and Gavin Hopkins, Lucas and Haley Smith; great-granddaughter, Aida Hopkins; brother-in-law, Edward (Millie) Tirpak; aunts, Elizabeth Lawrence, Dolores (Vincent) Sweatlock and Stephanie Fichtner; uncle, Andrew Kolano; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Special thanks to Dr. William Eward, Dr. Jennifer Choe, Paula Lane CNP, all of the tremendous staff at Duke Cancer Center, Durham, the wonderful staff at CMC Northeast, Concord, and Hospice House of Kannapolis. Though her final months were often difficult, her life was made infinitely less so because of the personal, professional and competent care she received by you. Arrangements: Please join us to celebrate Mercedes extraordinary life on Sunday, Sept. 23. Visitation hours will be between 2-4 p.m., at Summersett Funeral Home, Salisbury NC. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 375 Lumen Christie Ln, Salisbury NC. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be made to Duke University Sarcoma Clinic 3100 Tower Blvd., Suite 600, Box 80 Durham, NC 27707 or Sacred Heart Catholic School 385 Lumen Christie Ln, Salisbury, NC 28147. Summersett Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Rogers family. Online condolences may be left at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.