She is survived by two sisters: Catherine Gale, of Pleasantville, NY, and Joan Long, of Pittsburgh, PA; five children: Gloria Merlino, of Easton, PA, Susan Merlino, of New York, Diane Merlino, of Clearwater, FL, Steven Kaplan, of North Potomac, MD, and Peter Kaplan, of Alexandria VA; and eight grandchildren: Amanda, Ariana, Zoe, Jacob, Elijah, Christopher, Macy and Micah.
Mary was born in New York City on Nov. 7, 1925. After raising five children, Mary earned a bachelor’s degree and a masters degree, then built a successful, 40-year career as a therapist in New York. She tried to take lessons learned from the emotional turmoil of her early life and use those insights to help others. Her family and friends knew her for her deep sense of caring, her toughness in the face of adversity, and her love of dancing and books.
Memorial service at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington St., Alexandria VA, on Sat. May 12 at 1 p.m. Leave condolences to Demaine Funeral Homes.com
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