THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021 Page 17 OBITUARIES Winnie V. Mercer March 17, of Saugus. Loving wife of the late Rev. Dr. Gordon J. Mercer. Devoted mother of Rev. Dr. David and Donna Mercer of NH, Beloved son Paul who preceded her in death and Kiki Mercer of Arlington, Rev. Dr. James and Debbie Mercer of TX, and Karen and Robert Milordi of Lynnfield. Devoted sister of the late Bernice Lindstrom, Ruth Lindsay, Olive Nemcovich, Jack Mulley, George Mulley, and the Rev. Ralph Mulley. Proud Grammy of Heidi, James, Sarah, Adam, Robert, Lauren, Meredith and Rachele. Great-Grammy to Mayley, Logan, Jude, Elijah, Sadie, Jaxson, Emmeline and Winnie. Winnie Mercer. Winnie. Win. Mom. Grammy. Bam. Mrs. Mercer. Miss Winnie. Second-to-youngest of the seven Mulley children, Winnie grew up in Revere, Massachusetts, graduating from Revere High School. . She worked after school in Boston at Thompson’s Spa, taking the bus home at night to do her homework before bed. Instead of going into hairdressing at her cousin’s salon, as desired by the family, Winnie created her own adventure and enrolled in the Whidden Memorial Hospital Nursing School in Everett, Massachusetts. She was one of the last to complete their Cadet Nurse Corps Program that was created to address the nursing shortage in World War II. The war ended and Winnie never saw service, but the Cadet Nurse Corps expedited the nursing course to 30 months, with intensive, residential placements that included the Veteran’s Home, Children’s Floating Hospital and a mental health institution. She liked to say that nurses had to know it all – from laundry and paperwork, to birthing babies and psychiatric medical care. Winnie planned on going to Egypt to work with orphans, but then she met Gordon Mercer and they began their adventure together. They started married life in Everett, where son David was born. Soon they moved to the country, Saugus, and worked on making their new house a home. Son Paul was born, followed by son James. Completing the family was Karen – the girl everyone was waiting for. Mom would tell the story that David insisted that his sister be named Karen, because he had a crush on the minister’s daughter Karen at church. Church and family, family and church. Being a part of Parkway Assembly of God in Revere, Winnie would organize meals and the women’s ministry, and ran the nursery for decades. The photos where she is smiling most are when she was holding a baby. Family was the greatest gift to Winnie. She took care of her own parents, then mother-in-law, while caring for her own growing family. Every daughter-in-law and son-in-law became another child – their family quickly became hers. Memorable Sunday dinners, vacations on Long Lake with the aunts, uncles and cousins. Home showers and weddings – Winnie was always organizing ways for family to be together. All the grandchildren and great-grandchildren were such precious gifts to her, and she would talk about each one – about their wonderful qualities as individuals – with such great love and pride. Winnie’s hospitality was legendary – so many people were touched by her generosity, and well-stocked home – from clothes and Amish friendship bread to cookie tins filled with candy – she was a giver. Mom and Dad would travel in their RV, spend time at the Trapp Family Lodge, and make trips to visit children and grandchildren. As Gordon’s health became an issue, she put her quiet strength and determination into caring for him – we often said that it was her sheer will and the tenacity of her prayers that kept him with us for so long. Winnie’s is a legacy that runs deep – her joy came from her relationship with Jesus and her family. Her fierce love was felt by all who were blessed to know her. Thank you, Mom, for loving us so well. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Good Shepherd India at https://give.dayspringinternational.org. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 781-233-4446 or Info@advocatenews.net
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