OBITUARY Mary Joan Merz January 30, 1933 – September 6, 2018 Mary Joan Merz, 85, of East Dennis, passed away on September 6, 2018, in her home. Joan was born in NYC to Josephine and Patrick O’Leary on January 30, 1933. She was the eldest of five children.
She attended Hunter College and graduated with a degree in elementary education. She was married to Albert Joseph Merz, Jr. in December of 1954. The couple settled in Fair Lawn and later in Allendale, New Jersey.
They remained happily married for 35 years, until Albert’s untimely death in 1989. Joan was a devoted and loving mother to her 3 children: Elizabeth, Jeffrey, and Alison. The family summered in East Dennis.
Wonderful family memories were made exploring the Cape and spending countless hours on Sea Street Beach, and fishing and boating. Joan was married to Alfred Petrocelli in August of 1998. He was a loving husband and companion.
These 5 years of marriage included travel to Italy, Hawaii and California. Joan’s efforts as a volunteer have been exemplary. While her children were young, she was involved with Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.
Always a person of great faith, she was a Eucharistic Minister and active in Renew while living in New Jersey. Upon moving to East Dennis as a year round resident, she became an active member of Our Lady of the Cape Church in Brewster, Ma. She served as president of the Ladies Guild, acted as a Lazarus Ministry facilitator, and volunteered regularly at the Our Lady of the Cape Thrift Store.
Joan enjoyed her many friendships. She played with the Ladies Niners Golf Club in Dennis, and enjoyed her bridge and book groups. She enjoyed live performance.
In her later years she often attended the Cape Cod Symphony concerts. She is survived by her children. Her son, Jeffrey, of South Dennis, Ma.
Her daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, John Kleeman, of Portland, Or. Her daughter Alison, and son in law Kevin Herbert. Grandchildren- Abigail, Ryan, Amelia, and Kyle Herbert, of Milwaukie, Oregon.
Other close family survivors include Patrick Vincent and Sherry O’Leary, Eileen and John Lawler, Peggy Walser, Maureen and Edward Reynolds, and Jim and Rosemarie Merz. In addition, Joan is remembered by her many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 13th, 2018, at Our Lady of the Cape in Brewster, MA at 11:00 am followed by a short burial ceremony at the Quivet Neck Cemetery.
Friends and family are invited to join in a celebration of Joan’s life at her home from 1:00-3:00 pm. Flowers may be sent to Doane, Beal and Ames, 729 Route 134, South Dennis, MA 02660. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Family Pantry of Cape Cod, 133 Queen Anne Road, Harwich, MA 02645, (508)432-6519.
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