Obituaries: August 29, 2014

MARGARET J. MCAREE, 74, of Vero Beach, FL, passed away Tuesday, August 26, 2014, at her residence. She was a native of Rome, NY and moved to Sebastian, Fl in 1984 from Rome. Prior to retirement she worked in the Medical field as an Office Manager for a doctor’s office. Survivors include, three sons, Christopher McAree of Vero Beach, FL, Douglas McAree of Peekskill, NY and Robert McAree of Rome, NY, four grandchildren and one great grandchild, and a sister, Barbara Melioris of Mesa, AZ. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Robert McAree. Funeral Services will be private and the arrangements are under the directions of the Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home. Friends may sign the guest book at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com (8/29/14

HELEN KELLY MERCIER, 84, of Vero Beach, FL passed away Sunday August 24, 2014 at Indian River Medical Center. She was born December 6, 1929 in Chicopee, Massachusetts and had been a resident of Vero Beach for 16 years, and resided previously in Glastonbury, CT for 31 years. Mrs. Mercier was of the Catholic Faith and a member of St. Helen Catholic Church, Vero Beach. She retired from the State of Connecticut Health Department after working many years as a Registered Nurse. She volunteered at Indian River Medical Center after relocating to Vero Beach. Mrs. Mercier is survived by her son, Michael P. Mercier of Middleburg, FL; daughter, Maureen M. Childree and her husband, Eugene of Vernon, CT; sister, Mary C. Roberts of Chicopee and granddaughters, Angelina R. Childree of Vernon, CT and Amber M. Dipasquale of Fairfax, VA. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Mercier and son, Daniel Mercier. A Memorial Mass will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, August 30th at St. Helen Catholic Church, Vero Beach. A Funeral Mass will be held 11 am, Saturday, September 6th at Holy Name Church at Assumption Church, 97 Springfield Street, Chicopee, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VNA & Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach. An online guestbook may be signed at http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. (8/29/14)

RAMON SANTOS, 77, of Vero Beach, FL, passed away Tuesday, August 22, 2014 at Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach, Fl. Ramon was a native of Havanna, Cuba. Survivors include his wife, Ada of Vero Beach, and a son, Daniel of Vero Beach, FL. The Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (8/29/14)

KATHERINE J. VERNAM, 91, of Vero Beach, FL, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at Grace Rehabilitation Center. She was a native of Rochester, NY and moved to Vero Beach in 1992 from Rochester with her husband James. Prior to retirement Katherine worked as a Medical Lab Technology Supervisor. She is survived by daughters Kathleen (Jean), and Laurie, son Greg (Carol) Vernam, daughter in law Sue Vernam and grandchildren Monica and Christian Vernam. She is predeceased by her husband, Jim and her son, Marc. Kaye loved life and her family, and was loved in return. Her relaxation of choice was time spent at sea on a cruise ship. After retirement, she enjoyed a second career as a collector and dealer of antiques in upstate New York, and logged thousands of hours as a volunteer Auxillian at Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach. Her last few years were lived at Grace Rehabilitation Center where she was well cared for by the entire staff. If you wish to honor Kaye’s memory, you may donate to the Employee Benefit Fund at Grace in her name. Grace Rehabilitation of Vero Beach, 2180 10th Ave, Vero Beach FL 32960. Kaye touched many people’s lives and hearts, feel free to share your stories or memories here. (8/29/14)