Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

     UPDATE: Rosalie's Mass & Burial has been rescheduled for MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2025 at 10AM at St. Mary's Piscataway Catholic Church. INTERMENT St. Mary's Piscataway Catholic Church Cemetery.

Rosalie Ellen Merry, 86, of Accokeek, Maryland, departed this life Christmas morning, December 25, 2024.  She was a generous and giving Churchgoer, who repeatedly showed compassion and consideration for others.  A loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

     Born in Lowville, New York on March 15, 1938 to George Carlston and Minnie Pauline Prame, Rosalie, or “Rodie”, was one of ten children, having 2 brothers and 7 sisters, being survived by her sister, Judy Mae Adams.

     On April 4, 1959, Rosalie married the love of her life, Gary Sherman Merry.  From that day forward, the two were rarely apart.  They moved from upstate New York to Indian Head, Maryland where Gary worked as an Engineer and Rodie began her life as a homemaker.  She enjoyed various activities, including crocheting, reading, working on jigsaw and crossword puzzles, and bowling.  She began bowling while in New York with her sister, Bette, and then joined a mixed league with her husband, Gary, after they moved to Maryland.  They won a number of championship trophies together.  She enjoyed music and dancing, but Polka music always brought a smile to her face.  There was always time to “Roll out the Barrel”.

     Family meant everything to Rodie.  As a teenager, she left school early to get a job and help support her parents and siblings.  Later, in Maryland, she became the Matriarch of the Merry family, a Lioness, never afraid to protect and defend her cubs.  And although she did not complete her schooling, she was always there to help her kids with homework, book reports, science fair projects or Cub Scout displays.

     In addition to her sister Judy, Rosalie is survived by her husband of 65 years, Gary Merry, daughter Karen Orsinger (husband Robert), son James Merry (wife Wendy), daughter Lisa Simpson, and daughter Tracy Madden.  She had 7 grandchildren and is survived by each of them: fraternal twins, Tiffany and Scott Madden (wife Megan), Michael Simpson, Patrick Orsinger (wife Julie), David Orsinger, Brandon Simpson (wife Stephanie), and Kathleen (Katie) Roberts (husband Brent).  Nine great-grandchildren also survived Rosalie: Caleb, Ayden, Alayna, Sophia, Emilia, Eli, Connell, Ella, and Ethan.

     Friends and family are invited to celebrate Rosalie’s life on Sunday, January 5, 2025, from 2 to 4 PM at Kalas Funeral Home, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Piscataway, 13405 Piscataway Rd., Clinton MD 20735 at 10 AM on Monday, January 13, 2025. Interment St. Mary's Piscataway Church Cemetery.

Donations to the following organizations are welcome:

Hospice of the Chesapeake
American Cancer Society
Alzheimer’s Association















Rosalie Ellen Merry

Rosalie Ellen Merry

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