Patricia Edna Mertens Horner

Patricia Edna Mertens Horner made her debut on Sunday March 17, 1929 at Notre Dame Hospital on the west side of Manchester.

She was the third daughter of Max and Maude (Biggs) Grendel.

When she arrived home, her two sisters, Virginia and Dorothy greeted her with swollen faces; they both had a full-blown case of the mumps. Her father had an esteemed job for years until the Great Depression came on and now he was seeking employment with additional responsibilities at hand.

Known to her classmates as Edna at Varney and West High Schools, she was encouraged by her second husband, Maj. Jack Horner to use Patricia as her first name since she and her mother Maude had thought it more appropriate due to her St Patrick’s birthday. (Max had named Edna, Maude preferred Patricia.)

Patricia was an avid reader with endless interests. Bible study being the most important. She had a variety of books on autobiographies, health, history, and travel. In her younger years she enjoyed ice-skating, dancing, swimming, bike riding, long walks, and yoga.

While her five children were in school, she worked part-time at local businesses and later full time in electronics and the Manchester School Department. She was also an ‘A’ student when studying art at NH College. She wrote a song, “Plain White Door”, composed a book of poetry about family and compiled a family photo album for each of her five children. 

A desire to travel was fulfilled when her retired husband purchased an Airstream Travel Trailer which allowed them to travel for many years visiting military bases where he had been stationed. They also went from Brownsville, TX to Mexico for a month, came out in Nogales, AZ, and flew to Hawaii for another month from Travis AFB in CA and returned to NH via the Canadian Queen’s Highway having been on the road for a year.

Her family’s amazing accomplishments were a source of pride and joy in her life. She attributes their achievements to their Christian beliefs and gives GOD all the credit. She was also a devoted member of the Southside Bible Fellowship Church.

She went to be with the Lord November 6, 2024.

She leaves behind four daughters and a son. Billie Ruth Lamarine and husband, Ed, Christina O’Connor and husband, Gary, Victoria Rousseau and husband, Robert, William R Mertens, and Audrey Demers and husband, Scott. She had 9 grandchildren, Lisa Kilbreth (Mark), Kristi Keaveney (Brian), Kerri Parthemore (Scott), Mattthew Rousseau (Heather), Christian O’Connor, Julie O’Connor, Jennifer Molloy (Mike), Alex Demers, Daniel Mertens (Caroline) and many great grandchildren.

We would like to thank the Hillsborough County Nursing Home for the wonderful care she received during her stay there and the ladies from Hospice whom we are so grateful for their support during the end-of-life journey.

Her wish was for a private graveside-service with family. In her memory you may make a donation to the Southside Bible Fellowship Church, 200 S. Jewett St, Manchester, NH, 03103.