Mary Romano Kretsch , September 29, 1926 — May 12, 2018

Mary (Romano) Kretsch passed away on May 12, 2018. Mrs. Kretsch of Jeffersonville was a member of St. Helena‘s Church. She was born in Italy on September 29, 1926 and immigrated to the US with her parents, the late Samuel and Angeline Romano, in 1929.

She was raised in Norristown, graduated from Norristown High School, and pursued further studies in Philadelphia, where she met her future husband, Donald. Mary and Donald were married in 1946 and celebrated 68 years together before his passing in December 2014. Over the years, Mary enjoyed time in her garden, nurturing roses, hydrangeas, and lilies, growing vegetables, and tending to fig trees.

She had very fond memories of vacations taken with her husband and dear friends to Hawaii, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and Minnesota. She was active in church ministries at Holy Savior parish and later at St. Helene’s parish, such as sewing and knitting garments for newborns, teaching Marriage Encounter workshops, and attending the Charismatic Renewal events in Atlantic City. When her husband pursued training to become a Catholic deacon, Mary supported his five years of schooling at St. Charles Seminary by attending the necessary workshops and spousal retreats.

Mary worked at various jobs in Norristown and Jeffersonville, however her main priority was raising her family. Surviving are her son Donald (Ilene) Kretsch Jr. and daughter Barbara (Bill) Garvey. Mary was always loving and supportive to her five grandchildren – William, Anthony, Darin, Amanda, and Alex – and her three great-grandchildren – Anthony Jr, Benjamin, and Olivia.

With advancing age, she relied on Barbara to assist with her day-to-day living needs. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral mass on Friday, May 18 at 11 AM in St. Helena‘s Church, Blue Bell, Pa. Entombment will follow the mass at St. Patrick’s Mausoleum.

A viewing will be held immediately prior to the mass from 10 to 11 AM at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in the form of mass cards or donations to the American Lung Association.

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