Annabelle Rose Mercer

Annabelle Rose Mercer died Friday afternoon, March 6, 2009 at the RTA Hospice and Palliative Care in Lakeside, Arizona following a lengthy illness. She was 75 years old. Annabelle was born on January 24, 1934 in Phoenix, Arizona to the late Frank and Rose (Kobold) Titgen, and has been a resident of the state her entire life. She married the love of her life, Donald Jay Mercer, on August 4, 1951 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Phoenix and they, most recently, celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary together. Annabelle worked several years in the banking industry as an estate planner for the old Valley National Bank. She also worked as a clerk for the State of Arizona Industrial Commission. However, her favorite job was that of homemaker and was extremely devoted to her husband and children and grandchildren. She was a gifted artist and an accomplished painter; starting with acrylic then moving on to canvas oil painting. Many of her works are hanging on various family members' and friends' walls, and are counted as some of their greatest treasures. Annabelle was also a talented seamstress and made many of her children's clothes as they were being raised. This dear lady will greatly be missed by all knew and loved her. Annabelle is survived by her husband, Donald Mercer of Lakeside, Arizona; 3 children, all of Phoenix, Arizona: LeAnne Hopper (Dan), Nanette Rhodeos, Michael Mercer (Kim); daughter-in-law, Peg Mercer of Wasilla, Alaska; 1 sister, Dolores Fortner of Phoenix, Arizona; 2 brothers: Wallace Titgen of Idaho, Ronald Titgen of Banning, California; 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Mark Mercer in 1998; a sister, Lorraine Matchett and a brother, Leroy Titgen. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather at her memorial service that will begin 1:00 P.M., Saturday, March 14, 2009 at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low, Arizona. Chaplain Kevin Weaver of RTA Hospice will be officiating at the service.