Patricia L Merk

Patricia “Pat” (Cottini) Merk passed away on January 7, 2026, at Stone Oak Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. She was born at Bainbridge, Maryland on November 26, 1945, to the late Frank and Claire Gatchell Cottini while her father was serving in the Navy in Hawaii. After her family resided at several Naval military postings, her father passed and her family returned to Elkton, Maryland where she grew up with her younger brother Peter (deceased). She graduated from the Tome School in Port Deposit, MD and went on to graduate from Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio. Her working career was spent in the accounting and accounting systems areas for small and large firms until she retired from USAA Insurance Companies in San Antonio, TX in 2008. In 1969 she married David W. Merk and in 1972 their son Erik R. Merk was born. They resided in Minnesota, Illinois, Staten Island, NY, Bergen County NJ and Dedham MA, divorcing in 1977. In 1979 Pat and Erik moved to San Antonio, TX where Erik grew up and they enjoyed the advantages of warmer weather and no snow to shovel.

Pat’s hobbies included reading, crocheting, reading, photography, reading, scrapbooking, reading and genealogy. She also enjoyed gardening and traveling. Her travel took her to many places in the United States where she especially enjoyed National Parks and viewing different landscapes, lighthouses, and historical sites. Trips to Hawaii, San Francisco, Maine and North Carolina were some of her favorites. She also enjoyed Europe and visited Italy and London and Germany.

Volunteering was another passion of Pat’s. Her volunteer activities included the nonprofit day care her son attended in Boston, and she was a Cub Scout Leader and Den Mother for several years in San Antonio. She was also involved with the Mensa Foundation for many years, first serving as Scholarship Chairman at the local, regional and national levels. She then served as Treasurer and Trustee for several years. She also founded a scholarship for students in the medical field in her family (Cottini) name at the Foundation. In her years in New Jersey, she was very active with the Friends of the Brick Library, Kiwanis and the AARP Foundation Tax program. Also, while in New Jersey she adopted her two rescue cats from the Jersey Shore Animal Shelter and Flopsy and Chelsea were a very important part of her family and later adopted Frosty as well. After returning to San Antonio, she continued the adoptive cat experience by taking on the senior Piglet, who was with her until the end. Pat also was ready to help friends and neighbors when they needed it.

Pat was fortunate enough to find love again with Alex Garza and enjoyed 3 wonderful years together before his passing in 2025. Their time together was incredibly fulfilling and gave them both a wonderful chance to connect with each other and also gave her an opportunity to build a bond with Alex’s family.

Pat was predeceased by her parents, her brother and her cousin Dalma Mandolini. She is survived by her son Erik Merk and daughter-in-law Monique Remine Merk; her grandchildren Kenneth Andrews, Robert P Merk, Evan Merk and David Merk; her cousins: Michael Denney (husband of Marianne) of Augsberg Germany, Claire Denney McWilliams of Nacogdoches TX, Mary Jo (wife of Billy) Dollar of Gainesville TX, Susan Weems of Austin TX and Margaret Baucom of Monahans TX.

Her wishes include burial of her ashes with her grandparents in Sharps Cemetery, Fair Hill, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Project Mend (www.projectmend.org) in the name of herself and Alex Garza.