Mary Carmela Herzel, (nee Bonaccorsi) on July 11, 2024, age 103, beloved wife of the late Frank Benton Herzel, M.D. Born in Philadelphia, Mary was one of the four children of Maria (Mangano) and Rosario Bonaccorsi of Catania, Sicily, Italy, including her sister Erminia Bonaccorsi (deceased), John R. (Peggy) Bonaccorsi (deceased) and her sister, Rita Bonaccorsi (Bud) Bocher by whom she is survived. Mary was the beloved aunt of John Bonaccorsi, Stephen (Susan) Bonaccorsi, and Donna (Paul) Yaron and the special great aunt of Allison (Sam) Wilton, John (Putra) Bonaccorsi, Nicole Yaron, and Veronica Yaron. She was also a great, great Aunt to Benjamin R. Bonaccorsi. Mary was also loved very much by the family members of the Herzel family including the late Jim (Diana) Herzel and Roger (Sharon) Herzel and their children.
Though born and raised in Philadelphia, Mary spent many of her adult years in Harrisburg, PA with her husband, Frank. They traveled extensively around the world and particularly loved visiting Mexico. She received her B.S. in Education from Temple University and a M.S. in Library Science from Villanova University. Mary taught in the Philadelphia Public School system for many years. She was a prolific writer and was published in the Harrisburg Patriot News, Pennsylvania Magazine and the Creche Herald Magazine.
Mary was very active in peace and community organizations. She received numerous awards for her community work, including Unsung Heroine work for her peace activism (1991), Award from the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius (2001) and an Award of Recognition from the Friends of the Creche (2009).
In retirement, Mary and her husband moved back to the Philadelphia area, living at Cathedral Village. After the death of her husband, in 2016, she resided in the Mansion of Rosemont Retirement Community and spent her final year at Lafayette Redeemer in northeast Philadelphia.
Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at Maternity B.V.M. Church, 9220 Old Bustleton Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19115. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 a.m. and interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary’s name to Pax Christi, USA 532 W. 8th Street, Erie, PA 16502 or Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, 55 Ryder Rd, Maryknoll, NY 10545 or a Charity of your choosing.