Mary C. (Quarnstrom) Mernick 88, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2024. She was the wife of the late Robert L. Mernick who passed away in 2012. They had been married for 56 years. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Margaret (O'Donnell) Quarnstrom. She was the sister of the late Francis Quarnstrom and Elizabeth Ann Simonini.
She lived in Longmeadow and for a short time on the North Shore in Rowley, MA. She was a faithful communicant of St. Benedict and St. Kevin parishes for her entire life.
Mary was a graduate of St. Xavier's Academy and served on the Board of the Alumnae Association. For many years and before the children were born, Mary worked at Bell Telephone "the Phone Company." Once the children were in school, she returned to work at The Providence Journal.
Mary was the first female softball umpire in Rhode Island. She spent many hours in hockey rinks in the Northeast and some in Europe. She loved reading, The Four Freshmen, Theater By The Sea and all those evenings playing Scrabble with her beloved cousins. She loved all New England professional sports-whether in first, last, or some place in between.
Mary is survived by her loving children, Paula M. Reynolds, Ellen Mernick of Woodside, CA, Susan F. Mernick, John C. Mernick, Paul D. Mernick, James F. Mernick, and Peter A. Mernick, and Mary E. "Liz" Burri of Columbus, OH. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and I great Grandchild. Over the last 6 months, Mary was cared for with gentleness and kindness by her loving granddaughter, Jaime Carroll. She was the mother of the late Robert A. Mernick, and Jane Mernick Long.
Mary's spirits were really kept up over these last difficult months by the many visits from her dear and longtime friend, Carol Lorden.
Her funeral will be held on Saturday January 27, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. from the Barrett and Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue, Spring Green, Warwick, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Kevin's Church, 333 Sandy Lane, Warwick. The burial will be in Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter. Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations in Mary's name may be made to St. Kevin's School, 39 Cathedral Road, Warwick, RI 02889 would be appreciated.
