Obituary of Mary Mehmert

MEHMERT Mary Julie, age 73, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2015. She was the beloved daughter of the late Edwin and Julia (nee Riley). Preceded in death by her brother, William. Born and raised in Norwood, Ohio, Mary was a 1960 graduate of Regina High School. She attended the College of Mt. St. Joseph from which she matriculated in 1964. From 1964, until her retirement in 2009, she taught at Mt. Notre Dame High School in Reading. During her tenure at the school she was involved in numerous activities. Along with teaching history, government, and economics, Mary was both the student council and Junior Council of World Affairs moderator for many years. With colleagues Jeanne Mueller Rakers and Adele Salerno she was involved in the MND theatre program for seventeen years. In 1992, she was appointed social studies department chairwoman and served in the dual capacity of department head and teacher. She oversaw the expansion of the department from three to seven members. The number of Advanced Placement courses rose from one to five. Many electives were added to the curriculum as Mary encouraged department members to pursue areas of academic interest that would attract and engage student interests. She served as an unofficial mentor to new teachers. Additionally she was quietly generous to both students and staff members in need. She inspired the lives of thousands of young women who attended MND and encouraged them to pursue their educational interests beyond the secondary level at a time when that was not the norm. Mary was an active member of her parish where she served as a lector. Mary Mehmert was a Renaissance woman in the truest sense. Highly intelligent and widely read, she was a devotee of the arts; a keen observer of the political and economic world; and possessed of a wry humor that endeared those who knew her. Visitation will be from 9AM until the time of Mass of Christian Burial 10AM at Holy Trinity Church, 2420 Drex Avenue, Cincinnati (45212). Burial will immediately follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mary Mehmert Memorial Fund at Mt. Notre Dame High School, 711 E. Columbia Ave. (45215) or to Hospice Southwest, 7625 Camargo Rd. (45243).