Mary Ellen Doyle Mecchi, 85
Our beloved Mary, 85, "went to be with her Lord" on Jan. 5, 2009.
Born in Dodson, and raised in Whitefish, Mary was the sixth of 11 children born to Della Myrtle Manary Doyle and James Charles Doyle. Mary graduated from Whitefish High School in 1941.
While working in Seattle, she was introduced to Enzo "Mickey" Mecchi. They were married in Jackson Heights, N.Y., raised five children, and celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary Nov. 28, 2000.
Mary, Mickey and their five children lived in New York until they moved to Nesquehoning, Pa., in 1961. After Mickey's death in 2001, Mary lived in Allentown, Pa., before moving to Plano, Texas, in 2006.
While in Texas, Mary cultivated an active social calendar. She remained active in her faith, attending St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and took the lead in preparing for the weekly services. She enjoyed her role as a hostess for her home, Waterford of Plano, as well as assisting the leader of the exercise classes.
She was a regular at the twice-weekly bingo games, and enjoyed the camaraderie of assembling community jigsaw puzzles. She looked forward to experiencing new and exciting restaurants, but her favorite pastime was spending time with family and friends playing cards and games.
As a farmer's daughter, she cultivated a lifelong love for gardening and enjoyed sharing both her knowledge and the fruits of her labor with others.
She never failed to acknowledge a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or any other special event in the lives of those she loved and was always willing to help when called upon. Those closest to her enjoyed her smile and sweet laughter as well as her wise council.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Enzo "Mickey"; son, Roger; and daughter, Mary Anne Mecchi; grandson, Peter Mecchi; and three brothers, James, David and William Doyle.
She is survived by her three sons, Robert of Island Lake, Ill., Raymond of Bethlehem, Pa., and Michael of Allentown; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth Mecchi-Sanders of Rockwall, Texas, Marilu Mecchi (Sexton) Lee-Sue of Allen, Texas, Robert Mecchi ll of Island Lake, Raymond Mecchi Jr., of Bethlehem, Jason Mecchi of Easton, Pa., Erin Mecchi of Allentown, and Elena Mecchi of Allentown; five great-grandchildren, Miranda Sexton of Allen, R. Ryan Mecchi of Island Lake, A. Dylan Mecchi of Island Lake, Terasita Mecchi of Island Lake, and Jacob Mecchi of Easton; seven surviving siblings, Stella Holyk of Hot Springs, Theresa Gano of Polson, Barbara "Betty" Ahrens of Tacoma, Wash., Leonard Doyle of Whitefish, Frances "Frankie" Byrne of Kalispell, Agnes Palmer of Helena, and Patricia "Patsy" Chamberlain of Great Falls; and numerous nieces, nephews, friends and other loved ones.
Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home, 57 W. Center St., Nesquehoning, Pa., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at noon at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, Nesquehoning, with the Rev. Anthony Drouncheck officiating.Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Nesquehoning.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Heart Association, where a fund has been set up in her memory (Mary Ellen Doyle Mecchi).
Services and arrangements are by the Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home.