Mary Ackerman

Mary Frances Ackerman (NEE Ketchum ) 09/08/1947- 07/17/2023 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

Mary who was an incredibly strong and wonderful lady with a beautiful soul, best friends with the Queen of England and a great sense of humor fought a good fight and mercifully she succumbed to an unbeatable opponent…the heavy weight champion of the world, Alzheimer’s. Mary took her last breath at 11:50am on July 17th. The fear and angst that masked her face these past years had finally relented and the beauty that was Mary returned.

The tears from Mary’s loss extends far beyond her immediate family as she was loved by many. Her true love of 58 years , Henry Ackerman with whom she raised three children, William F Ackerman (Dawn), James S Ackerman (Donna Keifer),Sandra L Chauncey (NEE Ackerman) (Craig). 

Mary made many wishes through the years, but the wish that meant more than all others was to be a grandmother. Eight wishes were granted this amazing woman that she would treasure above all else in life, Crystal Keifer, Victoria Ackerman (Hailey), Brandon Ackerman (Cassidy), Rachael Chauncey, William Ackerman, Tyler Ackerman, Coleman Chauncey and Mark Chauncey. 

Mary’s favorite time of the year was Christmas. She believed the day after Christmas was the start of the Christmas season(with Alzheimer’s, Christmas was always tomorrow). Twelve months a year were all about Christmas and making people happy. Even after Mary retired from the job she loved at Ellis Coffee Company (Family Roasted since 1854) she would continue celebrating the holiday with her Ellis family. Her love for her job and friends at Ellis stayed long into Mary’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Alzheimer’s is a horrible disease that’s affects way too many people worldwide. Watching this disease steal Mary’s identity from her was the hardest thing for her family especially her husband Henry to go through with her. Their love for her continues even now that she is at peace. They ask that everyone reading her obituary, please eat Oreo’s and honor Mary by doing a good deed. Think of her while making the world a better and safer place for Santa Claus and all his tiny reindeer!