Dr. Mary Emma (Mertz) Wagner

Dr. Mary Emma Wagner, 97, of Kennett Square, formerly of Malvern died peacefully on August 16, 2024, at Kendal at Longwood Retirement Community.  She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Daniel H. Wagner, at the time of his passing in 1997.

Mary Emma is survived by three sons and a daughter: David H. Wagner (Jeanette) of Berkeley, CA, Christopher D. Wagner (Dottie) of Glenmoore, PA, Thomas J. Wagner (Lisa) of Coatesville, PA and Elizabeth A. Wagner of Phoenixville, PA.   She is also survived by eight grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.

Born on June 20,1927 in Wilmington DE, she was the daughter of John M and Emma Mertz, and sister to John M. Mertz Jr.  In her youth she formed a “secret club” of girlfriends with whom she maintained an enduring friendship throughout their long lives.

Mary Emma was a devoted wife and mother who loved learning, nurtured friendships, had a passion for excellence and, most of all, cherished her family. She graduated with a B.A. degree in Physics from Mount Holyoke College in 1948.  After raising three sons and a daughter and while supporting her children in their school years, she chose to continue her education by studying Geology at Bryn Mawr College, receiving her Masters, then attaining her Ph.D.   Mary Emma then turned to sharing her knowledge and insights by teaching Geology at the University of Pennsylvania, where she continued until her retirement. 

She and Dan loved traveling the world, including a trip around the world in 1994.  They both visited 6 of the seven continents, and all 50 states. In addition to traveling with her husband, Mary Emma took her three sons across the country twice, and Dan would join as work allowed.  In later years, there were the family vacations to Jamaica, the Outer Banks and England with all the children, spouses and grandchildren.  She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

In addition to travel, Mary Emma enjoyed a wide variety of interests.  Her passion was gardening and genealogy.  She had a greenhouse built on to the back of the house where she grew a multitude of orchids, and finally convinced Dan to convert the front yard to a wildflower garden. Mary Emma deeply researched her family roots and compiled cabinets of records.  Additionally, she could frequently be found playing golf, playing bridge and antiquing with friends. 

In the words of Mount Holyoke, her alma mater, Mary Emma was indeed, an “Uncommon Woman”!

Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Celebration to be held at the Desmond Hotel at 1:00 o'clock on 8/24.  Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers Memorial Contributions may be made to American Alzheimer’s Association or to Mount Holyoke College.

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