Mary Anne Mertz

Mary Anne Mertz (nee Meyers) passed away peacefully with her children by her side on Tuesday, July 21. Born to John Frederick and Mary Josephine Meyers in Midland, MD, she attended St Joseph's School in Midland and graduated from St. Peter's High School in Westernport as president and valedictorian of the 1960 Class. She attended Cathermans Business School, worked at the Westernport Library, and perpetually volunteered at St. Peter's School and Parish as PTA officer, helping to organize luncheons at the school, parish dinners and the Alumni Association reunions. She continued her volunteer career at Bishop Walsh High School, including working bingo to raise funds for the students there, and received a spot in their Hall of Distinction for her service.

Mary Anne made the best vegetable soup, pot roast, meatballs, Italian bread, applesauce, broccoli salad, black raspberry jelly, angel food cake, pumpkin pie, and raisin-filled cookies. She cooked with love, shared with love, persevered with love, built with love, and laughed with love. She loved her kids, her grandkids, her great-grandkids, her siblings, her in-laws, her nieces and nephews and their kids, cousins, and many lifelong friends in Western MD and around the world. She loved people she never even spoke to, and she spoke to practically everyone she ever encountered. Most of all, she loved her husband John Mertz. Together they built a beautiful life, family, home, and community. She believed in miracles and made small ones happen on a regular basis.

She was predeceased in life by John, her loving husband, her sons, Francis and Michael and grandson, Jack; her brothers, Jack and wife Marg, Fred, Jim and wife Jeanne, sister Margie Rymer and husband Gary, brother-in-law Frank Gavin (Joan); in-laws, Mary and Bill Elsen, Tom Mertz, George Mertz, Bev Mertz (Jim); and nieces, Margie Meyers, Ann Elsen and Debi Langan.

She is survived by her children, Mary Jo O'Brien and husband Jim, John and wife Janine, Joe and wife Christina; grandchildren, Michael, Sean and Cecilia O'Brien, Jaimie, Julia, Jenna and Allie Mertz; great grandchildren, Rowan and Luke O'Brien; brother, Francis and wife Mary Anne; sister, Joan Gavin; sisters-in-law, Lana Meyers (Fred) and Jean Mertz (Tom); brother-in-law, Jim Mertz; and many loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mary's request for cremation was honored. Friends will be received on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 6 to 8 PM, at the Fredlock & Fenner Funeral Homes - Piedmont Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 11 AM, at Divine Mercy, St. Peter of Westernport with Fr. Scott Kady as celebrant.

The Fredlock & Fenner Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the Mertz family.