Obituary of Rosemary Ann Mertzel

Rosemary Ann Mertzel (nee Tesik), a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, sister-in-law and friend, entered into eternal rest on November 3, 2017 at the age of 83. Rosemary (also known as Ro or Rosie) was born September 14, 1934, to John and Katarina (Volgas) Tesik of Garnerville. A 1952 graduate of Haverstraw High School, she pursued a life of service by choosing Nursing as her career. After graduating from Misericordia Hospital School of Nursing (Bronx, NY) in 1955, Rosie worked as a Registered Nurse for Helen Hayes Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, and in the office of Spring Valley Pediatrician Dr. Berezin. Wanting to deepen her commitment to helping others, Rosie began her service to God when she joined the Maryknoll Sisters in 1962 and took her vows as Sister Miriam Dolorosa. She continued in service at the Motherhouse in Ossining, NY until 1968, when she journeyed to Central America to carry out missionary duties in Guatemala City and Huehuetenango. She served the local residents of remote mountain communities in Guatemala through 1969 and when she left the congregation in 1970, returned to her childhood community. Rosie was reunited with old friend Raphael Mertzel upon her return to the states, and they were married on September 13, 1970. He preceded her in death on November 29, 1986. They were married for a short but joyful 16 years. Rosie continued to live a life of service long after she left the convent, and had a kind and generous spirit. A parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Rosie was the first female President of the Haverstraw Lion's Club. She was a great friend to many, always quick with her trademark giggle and a warm smile. Her welcoming and gentle nature were as bright as the sunshine, and her love of gardening will live on in the rose garden she planted and cultivated for the last 20 years. She is survived by her children Emil (Rebecca) of Los Angeles, CA, and Kara of Garnerville; her cherished granddaughter Sophia Mertzel; sister, Anne Tesik Kuchejda (Pembroke Pines, FL); sisters-in-law, Dorothea Tesik (Garnerville), Stella Tesik (Los Gatos, CA), Harriet LoPresti (Suffern), Anita George and Bernice Mertzel (Sayreville, NJ); many nieces and nephews she adored as well as her furbaby Daisy. She is predeceased by her parents, brothers James Tesik (Los Gatos, CA), John Tesik Jr (Garnerville), sister Catherine Palso (Oakland, NJ) and nephews John Tesik (Los Gatos, CA) and Kenneth George (Sayreville, NJ). The family will greet friends from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at T.J. McGowan Sons Funeral Home, 71 N. Central Highway, Garnerville. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend and celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030. The family would like to thank Team 7 at The Willows at Ramapo Manor for their wonderful and attentive care.