STOW: Theresa (Cirino) Mertz, 86, of Stow, MA and a native of Maynard, MA, died Friday April 5, 2019 at the Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital in Westborough, MA. She was the beloved wife of the late Elmer James “Jim” Mertz, to whom she was married for almost 60 years at the time of his passing in 2013, and mother of the late Robin Mertz who died in 1966. Mrs. Mertiz is survived by a daughter Lynn Mertz of North Billerica; a sister Virginia Terrazzino; and nieces, nephews and their families.

Born at home in Maynard, she was the daughter of the late Leonardo and Andoni (Profetto) Cirino, natives of Sicily. A graduate of Maynard High School, she met her future husband, Jim, at a dance in Lowell. They married in 1953 and lived in Paris for two years while Mr. Mertz was stationed with the US Army in Europe. Following his service, they settled in Maynard, and Mrs. Mertz was employed as an administrative assistant in medical offices in Concord before retiring. They shared a love for travel, enjoying frequent trips to worldwide destinations. In later years the couple lived in Acton and Stow.

Visiting hours will be Friday April 12th from 8:30-9:30A.M. at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Ave (Rte 111) Acton, with procession leaving the funeral home at 9:30A.M. for the funeral Mass at 10:00A.M. in St. Bridget’s Church, 1 Percival St., Maynard. Burial will be in St. Bridget’s Cemetery, Great Rd, (Rte 117) Maynard. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the New England Pediatric Care, 78 Boston Rd, North Billerica, MA 01862, online at nepc.org. Memorial page actonfuneralhome.com