14 September 2023
Mary Elizabeth Jenkins, 94, passed away peacefully at home on September 14, 2023. She was born to Rosalia (Rossy) and Sebastain [sic] Merle in Kenmore, Ohio, and was a graduate of Kenmore High School where she met her husband of 70 years, Donald Jenkins.
She was extremely proud of her Hungarian heritage. Mary attended the University of Akron where she studied art and was a member of the Zip Majorettes. A life-long volunteer, Mary served as president of Witan, a member of The University of Akron’s Advisory Committee for E.J. Thomas Hall (it’s OK, Mom, that there aren’t enough bathrooms for women and that they are all downstairs), the Board of Trustees of E.J. Thomas Hall, President of the Akron Bar Auxiliary, President of The University of Akron Faculty Women’s Committee, charter member of The Hower House Victorians, Vice President of Bath Volunteers for Service, charter member of The Ohio Ballet Board, and was a decades-long member of the Women’s Committee at The University of Akron. Her love of the arts was evident in her support of Weathervane Community Playhouse, Tuesday Musical, the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Verb Ballets, and Dance Institute of The University of Akron. She also supported our Metroparks and the Summit County Humane Society.
Preceded in death by her husband, Donald M., and her brothers Michael S. and Joseph C. Merle, she is survived by daughter, Mary Kay Finn (Terry) and their children, Tyler, Katherine (a very special and devoted caregiver), Jennifer, and Grace; son, Donald T. Jenkins (Kathy), and their children, Zackary and Riley, and son, Thomas E. Jenkins (Sherri) and their children Alex and Max.
The family wishes to thank dear friends, Bob and Jody Konstand, and loving caregivers, Kelly, Shannon, Angela, Kirsten, and Lucy.
A private memorial has taken place. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Bath Volunteers for Service or Bath Township EMS.
“Úgy ugrálsz, mint egy fing a nadrágban”