Anne M. Mercer

Anne Mercer, a long time Severna Park and Annapolis resident, died on October 13, 2016. Born in 1932, she was the daughter of Edward and Rose Liberati of Niles, Ohio. She graduated from Kent State University in 1954 with a BS degree in Journalism and History. She married Tom Mercer a week after graduation and they moved to Cleveland, Ohio for a year until he was due to report for duty in the United States Signal Corps at White Sands Proving Ground in New Mexico. While there, both of them received their Masters degrees, he in Physics and she in History and Social Studies from New Mexico State University. Anne also worked there as the Assistant Public Relations Director. They moved to Maryland when Tom was offered a job by Westinghouse Corporation where he rose to be a vice-president.

While at Kent State, Anne pursued her course studies in Journalism and was the first woman to become editor of the Chestnut Bur, the KSU yearbook. She was president and a member of Theta Sigmal Phi, an honorary journalism fraternity; Cardinal Key Honor Society as a junior and a senior; and Delta Gamma, a social sorority. She also worked on the Kent Stater, the KSU yearbook. Moving to Cleveland she worked in Public Relations for both the United Fund and Red Cross.

Once in Maryland they were blessed with four beautiful children, Mark (deceased), Tom, Paul and Mary Lynn and eventually 14 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Her life became totally involved with her children and their activities, but she was also very active in the community. She was a member of AAUW, Panhellenic and many years in the Severn Town Club, she volunteered at St. John the Evangelist School and also served as a tutor there and at Severna Park High School. As the children grew up she took on the job of Newsletter Editor at the Franciscan Center in Baltimore for 20 years. They offered food, clothing and counseling to those in need and she put out a quarterly newsletter for their benefactors. She also taught Sunday School for five years at St. John the Evangelist church. She was a graduate of Bible Study Fellowship but went back to join the class when she found out that they were going to add “Revelation” to their study. Her time in this study continued to increase her love for the Lord and her appreciation of His completed work on the cross bringing about her salvation.

She and her family were sailors and spent many happy hours on the Severn River, trips to St. Michaels and around the area. She was teased about her “boat” kitchen. Her father had been a butcher and owned a grocery store, which might explain why she always had a quantity of food whenever they went out on an excursion. She was treasurer of the Severn River pool where her sons Mark and Tom served as life guards. She and Tom loved to golf and spent many fun times golfing around the area and on trips. She also loved to go off on a golf trip with her “girlfriends.” Other fun times were the family gatherings at Rehoboth Beach and Ocean City and throwing a good dinner party for the family and friends. She had the true gift of hospitality in many ways.

Ann was an avid bridge player and spent many years in a ladies bridge club as well as a couples bridge group. Her quiet times were reading. She belonged to a book club for many years as well as just liking to curl up in a chair with a good book. She learned to really appreciate Hospice when her husband became ill with esophageal cancer and worked at their store called Treasures in Severna Park for many years. At this point in their lives, they had downsized and moved to a condo at Four Seasons at St. Margarets in Annapolis. They spent many years going to Florida for several months in the winter. It was a comfort to her to be in a condo when her husband died in 2010.

Family and friends may visit on Sunday, October 16, 2016 from 3-5:30pm pm at Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway, in Severna Park. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, October 17, 2016 at 11:00 am in St. Andrew by the Bay Catholic Church, 701 College Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21409. Interment in Lakemont Memorial Gardens Davidsonville, MD.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122.