Mary Merrill Erkel

Mary Merrill Erkel, age 95, of Herminie, formerly of Port Vue, passed peacefully on Friday, June 28, 2024. Mary was born January 30, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Paul Ellis Merrill and Sophie Lokke Merrill. Her brother, Paul Merrill of Oxford, Ohio preceded her in death.

While in high school, Mary met Robert C. Erkel, the love of her life, who was stationed at the naval base in Great Lakes, IL. They married on June 12, 1948 and together they wrote a love story that spanned 75 years of marriage. Her husband, Bob, preceded her in death.

They have 4 children – Nancy Beno Higdon (Joe) of Elizabeth, Susan Clark (John) of Cranberry Township, Barbara Stookey-Keller (Rich) of Herminie and Tim (Darlene) of Tum Tum, Washington, 9 grandchildren and 4 step grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 4 step great grandchildren who all lovingly call her Muggie.

She spent her entire life as a homemaker, Mom and Grandmother and she was exceptional at each of those roles. Mary was an excellent cook and delicious baker, and she created a home full of love, laughter, and welcome. She was selfless in every way. Her home was the one with an open invitation to all her children’s friends as a warm and happy place to be. Her family was her everything.

She was a long-time member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Port Vue, where she was active in Christian Mothers and a member of St. Mark’s and Saints Joachim and Anne as the parish changed names. She was also a member of the Queen Aliquippa Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. For decades, Mary volunteered with McKeesport Hospital Auxiliary in the hospital gift shop and at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. She was active in Girl Scouts as leader of several troops. Alongside her husband and best friend, she volunteered in many capacities in activities in the Boro of Port Vue.

Mary was a great lover of animals. She also loved to travel, and she put together amazing and adventurous camping trips every summer for her family to explore the National Parks throughout the country.

It is said that “Grief is the price we pay for love and worth it a million times over. Where there is deep grief, there was great love.” Muggie – you will be so missed! Your legacy of caring and love of family will live on in your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. You gave us roots and you gave us wings and we are eternally grateful.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 8, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. for both Mary and Bob at Saints Joachim and Anne Parish, Saint Eugene Church, 3210 Liberty Way, Liberty Boro, PA 15133. Burial with full military honors will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville, PA 15017.

Arrangements are being cared for by Strifflers of White Oak Cremation and Mortuary Services, Inc., 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412-678-6177).

Should friends desire, memorial donations can be made to the Hillman Cancer Center, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, or to the White Oak Animal Safe Haven, 2295 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA 15131.

To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.strifflerfuneralhomes.com