Mercedes Anne Merenda passed away at Santa Theresa Community Hospital on June 22, 2004, surrounded by her family and close friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, James J. Merenda.
Mercedes is survived by her son, James F. Merenda and daughter-in-law Annette Merenda. Mercedes was grandmother to four children, Jamie Merenda, Kathy Merenda Horton, Jimmy Peterson and Angel Fox. Also surviving Mercedes are twelve great grandchildren; godchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mercedes came from a large family and leaves behind the last surviving sisters, Nori Goforth and Jackie Elliott; sisters-in-law Sue Serafin, Rose Caruso, Angie Kellar and Alice Merenda; brothers-in-law Joseph Merenda and Leo Goforth.
Mercedes was of Portuguese decent and born in Atwater, Calif. on October 28, 1923. She was a devout Roman Catholic and a member of St. Mary’s Parrish. In her earlier years, Mercedes was active in bridge club and was very involved in her son’s sports activities from grammar school through college. She and her husband were stout 49ers fans and held season tickets for numerous years. Mercedes enjoyed monthly luncheons with her sister Nori, nieces and close friends. Mercedes was a wonderful cook and enjoyed gardening with her husband.
Holidays were very important to Mercedes and she treasured the Christmas Season, as she very much looked forward to her family coming from near and far to celebrate the holiday season. She will truly be missed by her family and many, many close friends.
A Rosary and vigil will be held at Habing Family Funeral Home on Sunday Evening June 27th at 5:30 p.m. On Monday there will be a funeral mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 1 p.m., followed by interment at St. Mary Cemetery. After the cemetery services there will be a “Celebration of Life” reception at the VFW Hall in Gilroy, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Nicholson, loving friends of Mercedes.
