Merle M. (Dougherty) Richerson

Merle M. Richerson 90, of Downers Grove Illinois and formerly of Oak Park Illinois, passed away May 14, 2024.  Merle was born to Dorothy and George Dougherty in Chicago, Illinois on February 8, 1934.  Merle raised 8 children, occasionally taking in some nephews for short periods of time, volunteered to help those less fortunate and, was an avid Beach Bum especially enjoying her time in Gulf Shores, Alabama and Panama City Beach, Florida.  She was preceded in death by 2 of her daughters, Peggi Masella Pooler and Patti Masella Basford, her parents Dorothy and George Dougherty, her brother Bud Dougherty, her sister Karen Mocarski and 1 granddaughter, Cyndi Gabrysiak.  She is survived by 6 of her children, Gene Masella, Terri (Wayne) Holapple, Tom Masella, Kevin (Mary) Masella, Marijane (Jim) Kelly and John (Diana) Masella, 21 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews as well as a multitude of friends.  Known affectionately by some of her grandkids as Grandma Candy, or Grandma Red Lips, she enjoyed her family parties (one of the first to arrive and often one of the last to leave) and often supplied the clam chowder, her gravy and, occasionally her own home brewed limoncello.  She liked to sing and chant which she has passed onto to several of her children, grandchildren and nieces/nephews.  Visitation will be held at Ascension Church, 808 South East Avenue, Oak Park IL on Saturday, May 18 from 9-10 AM, followed by Mass at 10:00 AM and interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.  In lieu of flowers, my mom would have preferred any donations go to the research and treatment of Breast Cancer or the American Cancer Society.

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