Mercia Stabler Nauss, 82, of Annapolis, died March 18 at the Heart Home of Piney Orchard.

Born July 25, 1922, in Cortland, N.Y., Mrs. Nauss was raised in Baltimore where she lived until May 1942 when she married Allen Howard Nauss, who is now deceased. They resided in York, Pa., until 1991. She lived in Arnold with her daughter from 1991 to 1993 and then in Annapolis until her recent illness.

She graduated from Western High School in Baltimore and attended Strayer Business College. She was employed as a medical secretary until her marriage.

Mrs. Nauss was a Girl Scout leader and a member of the York Garden Club, the York Women's Club and the York Cotillion Club.

Surviving are two children, Christine Nauss Simmons of Glen Burnie and Allen Howard Nauss Jr. of York; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

She was the daughter of the late Frank and Elizabeth Thornton Quaile and the adopted daughter of the late Edward Alford Stabler and Corrine French Marsh.

No formal services are planned and burial will be private. Arrangements are by Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 10942 Beaver Dam Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21030; Girl Scouts of America, 4301 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008; or Planned Parenthood, 330 N. Howard St., Baltimore, MD 21201.

As published in The Capital Newspaper in Annapolis, MD on 3/23/2005