Maria DiMarco Messer's Obituary
Maria DiMarco Messer was born on May 2, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York. She lived her youth there, moving to Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 15. Maria married Herbert G. Beard in 1947 and had three children with him: Yvonne Glenda, Miriam Eloise, and John Ray. Maria’s second marriage to David J. Messer, Sr. came on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1975. Dave was the love of her life. They enjoyed 35 years of wedded bliss until Dave’s death in 2010. Maria was an accomplished accountant who worked most of her career in the construction industry. She retired in 2008 at the age of 77.
Maria is survived by her brother, Charles DeMarco (Janice), and by her three children and their spouses: Yvonne Beard Wichman (Bryant Baker), Miriam Beard Murray (Bill), and John Beard (Shelly). Maria also leaves behind two wonderful grandsons who she adored, James Watson, Jr. (Marla) and Ty Wichman (Michele), and three great-grandchildren, Olivia Watson, Alec Wichman, and Trey Wichman. Everyone who knew Maria also knew that her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the true joys of her life.
Though suffering from aged-related ailments, Maria lived a meaningful life until the very end. She died peacefully on the evening of Christmas, December 25, 2019, after spending the day with family. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. A memorial mass will be held for Maria by Father Richard Lopez, at 1:30 p.m. on January 2, 2020, at the Cathedral of Christ the King, 2699 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30305. A private interment at Georgia Memorial Gardens will precede the mass.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Maria’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Lung Association, or any other worthy organization.
A Memorial Mass will be held 1:30 PM on Thursday, January 2, 2020 at The Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church, Atlanta.
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