Mary Elizabeth Sommers

Mary Elizabeth Sommers passed away peacefully on May 13, 2023 at Town Hall Nursing Home in Arlington, Texas at the age of 101 years 5 months. This was her goal to be the longest living person on her side of the entire family and she achieved this goal.

Mary was born on December 29, 1921 in Throop, Pennsylvania to Susan Ann Pendel and Stephan Joseph Kiesel.

Mary met her husband to be Stanley Peter Sommers in 1942 at Vought-Sikorsky in Stratford, Connecticut during World War II, where she worked as a riveter and Stanley as a mechanic. During an air-raid drill where everyone was to take cover, Mary and Stan not knowing each other took cover under the same table, then were married about one year later. They moved to Texas late in 1948 and were married for 64 years until her husband passed away in 2007.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband Stanley Peter Sommers, daughter Carol Ann Arlt, Grandson Theodore Quentin Arlt, two brothers Stephen Eugene Kiesel and George Albert Kiesel and sister Frances Rita Gebhardt.

Mary is survived by four children, Stan Sommers, Jr and his wife Mary Jane of Arlington, Texas, Jerry Sommers of Sachse, Texas, Janie Welch and her husband Gary of Arlington, Texas, Ginny Young and her husband Rick of Euless, Texas, seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary was a member of the Saint Maria Goretti Catholic Church for sixty nine years where she helped to start the original “Spaghetti Dinner” fund raiser for the Saint Maria Goretti school and church. She was also one of the first volunteers at Arlington Memorial Hospital.

Mary had a deep faith in the LORD. This was reflected in the raising of her family which is a great testament to her life. If anyone needed a helping hand or words of comfort, she was there for support. She was such a wonderful example.