Bernice E. Merz

(nee Marcoe), resident of Bellmawr, NJ, died on 8/6/2023 at age 72. Her death was unexpected, but was peaceful and at home.

Bernice is predeceased by her beloved husband, Douglas Merz, who died in 2009. She is survived by her siblings Kenneth, Gerald, William and Arlene Marcoe; daughters Tobi Steaman (Jason), Joanna Moulton (Richard) and Alison Modrak (Robert); along with her grandchildren Dean, Pearl and Clark Moulton.

Bernice was born on 9/29/1950 to Edna (nee Dill) and Ellsworth Marcoe, Jr. in Amityville, NY and spent most of her childhood in Levittown, NY. She attended Walt Whitman High School in Huntington, NY. She went on to study art history at the State University of NY in New Paltz and proudly was the first member of her family to graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree. Bernice and Doug met their senior year of high school and married at age 19. They eventually moved to Palmyra, NJ to be closer to Bernice’s mother, which is where they raised their 3 girls. Bernice lived on Cinnaminson Avenue from 1983-2016 prior to downsizing to her home in Bellmawr. During that time, she was a regular attendee of Bethany Lutheran Church in Palmyra.

Bernice always held a great love for children, animals, education and art, which were themes woven throughout the tapestry of her life. Over the years, she worked in a home for adults with special needs, the Red Balloon nursery school, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art in children’s programming. She also ran an in-home day care for several years, worked at St. Vincent’s in Tacony, PA helping care for children in the foster care system, and as a teacher’s aide for disabled children and children in need at Thomas Paine Elementary School and the Burlington County School for Special Services. In her free time, Bernice was very involved in her children’s school and extracurricular activities and volunteered as the Art Goes to School program director, girl scout leader, drama club supporter, PTA member, vacation bible school teacher, and WELCA member, among countless other endeavors.

Bernice missed Doug terribly, and we are comforted that they are together again.

A memorial service will be held in Bernice’s honor on 9/29/2023 at 11 am at Bethany Lutheran Church, 617 Morgan Avenue, Palmyra, NJ 08065.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Memory of Bernice Merz to the Maui Strong Fund to support community efforts following the wildfire devastation https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/strengthening/maui-strong-fund

Arrangements by Jackson Funeral Home, Haddon Township, NJ www.jacksonfh.net