Remembering Dolores Mervan With Love
We are remembering Dolores Mary Mervan of Bethlehem, Pa., and Westfield, N.J., who passed away one year ago on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at the age of 92. She was born on September 26, 1931 in Bethlehem, daughter of the late Stephen and Virginia (Knipe) Kerso. She was the wife of the late Stephen C. Mervan for 57 years until his death in 2011.
Born on the South Side of Bethlehem, Dolores attended St. John Capistrano, the Hungarian Catholic school and church. She graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School in 1949. Dolores worked as an elevator escort guiding visitors through Bethlehem Steel’s headquarters from 1949 to 1954. She served as a liaison for notable guests, including business executives and political figures. This was a highly sought-after role known to require the utmost elegance and poise. Dolores and Stephen married at Ss. Cyril and Methodius in 1954. She was a devoted homemaker and mother to her two children. She was passionate about fashion, enjoyed cooking, and appreciated music, art, and classic movies. She kept a meticulous garden for many years and had a great love for animals, especially birds. She was a lifelong fan of all things sweet and was especially known for her Hungarian walnut torte at church bake sales. Most of all, Dolores was proud of her family. She will be remembered with the greatest love and affection by her daughter Carolyn, wife of Quaid Kapadia of Westfield, N. J., and grandchildren Alexandra, Alistair, and Andrew; her son Stephen Mervan, husband of Lorraine of Pittsburgh, Pa., grandson Matthew, his wife Emily and two great- grandchildren Maxwell and William; and brother-in-law Robert Labdik, husband of Karen of Macungie, Pa.
Family and friends celebrated her life in Bethlehem on April 19, 2024. The viewing was held at Connell Funeral Home and a Mass of Christian Burial was held on the same day at Incarnation of Our Lord Catholic Church (formerly Ss. Cyril and Methodius). Services concluded at Holy Saviour Cemetery. Condolences may be offered online at www.connellfuneral.com. Donations in memory of Dolores may be made to St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem, Pa. (https://www.slhn.org/development/ways-to-give/make-a-gift).
April 24, 2025
