"Irene Merker was a very gracious lady, whose friendship I enjoyed for many years."
In loving memory of
Irene D. Galiley Merker
September 10, 1910 - March 14, 2008
Middletown, RI - Irene D. Galiley Merker, 97, of 600 Valley Road, Middletown, RI, formerly of 174 Boulevard, Middletown, RI, died Friday, March 14, 2008 at the John Clarke Nursing Center in Middletown. She was the wife of the late John E. Merker.Born in Shamokin, PA on September 10, 1910, she was the daughter of the late Stanaslaus and Antonia Poplaskie Galiley. Five brothers and two sisters predeceased her.Mrs. Merker received her nursing degree from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, her masters degree from Simmons College and further training at Harvard. She served as a nurse in the US Navy and was a stationed aboard the hospital ship Solace when Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941. Later, she became Supervisor of the Providence District Nursing Association.She was a member of St. Lucys Church in Middletown, the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, the Navy Nurse Corp Retirees and AARP. She was commended by the Middletown Tree Commission for her volunteer work at Paradise Park and was recognized for maintaining the grounds at the Town Hall.She is survived by nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, March 17, 2008 at 9 am in St. Lucys Church, 909 West Main Road in Middletown. Burial will be in Shamokin, PA.Donations in her memory may be made to St. Lucys Church, Building Fund, 909 West Main Road, Middletown, RI 02842 or to the Middletown Rescue Wagon Fund, 239 Wyatt Road, Middletown, RI 02842.
Tributes
"Mrs. Merker was my Dad's first dental assistant in his new Dental office at 12 Bull Street, Newport. RI. With her surgical nursing background, she assisted my dad with all of his surgical cases and monitored the general analgesia. He always said if I needed a great assistant to fill in call Mrs. Merker and I would and she was. Stanson A. Moody DMD"
"Mrs. Merker was a dear friend of the Moody Family and a fellow Navy Nurse. She was a valued member of the Navy Nurse Corps Association and a VIP in my heart. I will miss our visits when seeing family in Newport...She was a wonderful friend and will be missed in many ways.. Jayne Moody Vorder Bruegge CDR, Navy Nurse Corp Retired"
"Mrs. Merker worked as my Dad's principal chairside assistant at his dental office on Bull Steet, Newport, for many years. We in the Dr. Jay Rice Moody family had the highest respect for her as a professional and friend. When I came to visit her in the nursing home a few years ago, I urged her to apply for the Pearl Harbor Survivor Medal. I gave her the paper work, and I understand she submitted it and was awarded the well-deserved medal. She will be sorely missed William B.B. Moody, CAPT USN ret."