Mary Zerphey, 87, a 40-year resident of Arnold, died of heart failure on Feb. 28 at Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, after a lengthy illness.

Born Aug. 10, 1921 and raised in San Bernadino, Calif., she lived in various places in Europe and the U.S. as a wife of an Airman. She is a retired secretary from the US Naval Academy.

She was a member of the Severna Park Elks, Bowie Church of Christ, the Arnold Senior Center, and the VFW Auxiliary Post 304. She enjoyed collecting and organizing coupons. She was a member of Vita and earned 2 certificates from the IRS. She also was a SHIP volunteer who helped counsel the elderly on Medicare and Health insurance where she earned a Certificate of Special Recognition. She also earned a Governor's Volunteers Service Certificate from Gov. Martin O'Malley, and an Executive Citation from Anne Arundel County from Janet Owens.

She was preceded in death by one brother and four sisters.

She is survived by her husband, Robert George Zerphey of Arnold; one son, Daniel R. Zerphey of Bridgeville, Del.; one daughter, Debbie M. Gates of Saratoga, Wyo.; two brothers; seven sisters; and five grandsons.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 4th, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Barranco and Sons Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 5th, at Bowie Church of Christ, 2518 Kenhill Drive, Bowie. Interment will be in Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Crownsville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bowie Church of Christ, 2518 Kenhill Drive2518 Kenhill Drive Bowie, MD 20715.

Online Condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com

As published in "The Capital Newspaper" Annapolis, MD on March 2, 2009.