Mary H. Gerken

Mary H. Gerken, 89, Holcomb St., Watertown passed away Sunday morning, April 6, 2014, at her home surrounded by her family.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Church on Thursday, April 10, at 11AM with Rev. Steven Murray officiating. A celebration of her life will follow at Ives Hill Country Club. There will be no calling hours and arrangements are with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown.

Mrs. Gerken was born in Antwerp on August 15, 1924, daughter of Thomas J. and Alice Kane Herlehy. She graduated from Clayton Central School in 1942 and from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1945.

On June 10, 1949 she married Frederick A. Gerken, Jr. in Jersey City, NJ.

She worked as a floor nurse at both Mercy and House of the Good Samaritan Hospitals and as a private duty nurse. She retired as a NYS RN at the Dulles State Office Building.

Mary attended St. Patrick's and Holy Family Churches. She was a member of both Watertown and Ives Hill Golf Clubs and enjoyed skiing. In the summer she spent time at their cottage on the St. Lawrence River and wintered in Pompano Beach, FL.

Besides her husband, Frederick, she is survived by her four children, Gary F. Gerken and wife, Karen E., David J. Gerken and wife, Candice A., and Lanie M. Cahill, all of Watertown and Teri G. Austin and husband, Thomas, Cazenovia; eight grandchildren, Kylie, Travis, Shane, Skyler, and Chance Gerken, Amy Mitchell and husband, Brian, Sara Michaud and husband, Aaron, and Will Austin; five great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her son-in-law, Jim T. Cahill, June 23, 2005, daughter-in-law, Kathy L. Gerken, June 12, 1992, five brothers, and five sisters.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations in Mary's name to either Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Goham St., Watertown, NY 13601 or Save The River, 409 Riverside Dr., Clayton, NY 13624. Online condolences to her family may be made at .

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary H. Gerken, please visit our floral store.