Mary Katherine Mekel (Morano) Service Information

Mary Katherine Mekel of Doylestown died peacefully on Friday, November 20, 2020 at her home in Doylestown.  She was 88. 

Mary was the wife of the late David Mekel.  Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Leo and Mary Delaney Morano. 

Mary grew up in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia and graduated from Little Flower High School, where she developed lifelong friends. Along with Dave, Mary raised their young family of five daughters in Philadelphia, later moving to Warminster. She held a variety of jobs from secretary to Wanamaker’s salesclerk, but perhaps her most cherished position was that of service. Mary served as a volunteer for over 10 years at Doylestown Hospital where she was recognized for contributing over 1,588 hours. The friendships she formed at the hospital remained always dear to her heart.  

She was a strong, independent woman long before that came into fashion, always willing to share her thoughts or express an opinion. Mary was a people person, a lover of life. She loved her family fiercely, and adored her five daughters, brothers, sisters, and extended family. Family was vital to her life and she enjoyed conversations and visits from her nieces and nephews, finding joy in their achievements and daily life.

She was blessed to witness the birth of her grandchildren, Lindsay, Dan, John David, Stephanie, Megan, Stacey, Jordyn, Taylor, Alexandra, and Kelsey and great-grandchildren, Olivia, Benjamin, Macallan, Evelyn, Maxwell, Austin, Cillian, Mae, and Leo.

Mary found such happiness in meeting the friends of her children and grandchildren. She considered them family and prayed for their dreams and hopes as if they were her own. Mary was particularly delighted when this “extended friend family” formed the “Fans of Mam” club. It brought her much joy when her relationship with the “young people” grew exponentially. It can be said that Mary left a path of friendships wherever she went.

Mary had a strong Catholic faith and was devoted to the Blessed Mother. She prayed the rosary each evening and often sought intersessions from St. Jude and St. Gianna Beretta Molla for those she loved.

Her fondest memories in life were found in family trips with Dave and her girls to Sea Isle City, visiting Disney World with her grandchildren, watching the Philadelphia Phillies with her sons-in-law, feeding large groups of people at family gatherings, attending many grandchildren’s sporting events, dance recitals, graduations, and family celebrations.

Surviving are her children, Joan Wolf (John) of Doylestown, PA, Linda Hopkins (James) of Newtown, PA, Susan Zubak (John) of Doylestown, PA, Gail Potts (Thomas) of Pipersville, PA and Marianne Mekel of Doylestown, PA.  She also leaves behind ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Joan Parker of Wildwood Crest, NJ, Leo Morano (Ellen) of North Wales, PA, and William Morano (Sue) of Philadelphia, PA. 

In addition to her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Karen Marie and her sisters, Patricia Caputo and Sally Konieczny. 

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family on Friday, November 27, 2020 from 6:00-8:00 PM and on Saturday, November 28, 2020 from 9:30 AM until her Funeral Mass 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 5194 Cold Spring Creamery Rd., Doylestown, PA 18902.  Her interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham.

The Mekel girls understand that this is a sensitive time for public gatherings. It is requested that guests practice social distancing and wear a mask. We urge you to follow health decisions with which you are most comfortable. Please know that we understand and support your decisions. During our mother’s lifetime, she was shown love by all of you and for this we remember and are eternally grateful.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Parkinson’s Research Foundation, 5969 Cattleridge Rd., Ste. 100, Sarasota, FL 34232.   

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