Obituary - Madison Cate Mertsch

MERTSCH, Madison “Maddie” Cate, 22, of Henrico, VA, formerly of Bronxville, NY, passed away on March 9, 2021. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfathers, William Boyle McCracken and Anton von Preu Wallner; and paternal grandparents, Judith Overstreet and Gerhard Otto Mertsch. Maddie was a rising senior at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY studying creative writing, philosophy, psychology, and music.

She was the goalkeeper for the women’s soccer team (GoGryphons.com) and set several school records during her career. She has been published in multiple issues of the Sarah Lawrence College Review (poetry/art) and in Love and Squalor magazine (poetry).

Maddie attended Douglas S. Freeman High School and was a four-year starter in goal, she also played on various youth club teams in Richmond. Maddie liked the fast pace of futsal and played on teams in Richmond, Suffolk and Northern Virginia throughout her high school years.

Many know of Maddie’s love for music, she took guitar lessons with Glenn Alexander although she preferred to be center stage with the microphone. She enjoyed performing in open mic nights at Sarah Lawrence College and in Richmond at Poe’s Pub. She was a creative soul, a writer, an artist, and a musician. She treasured the relationships she had with old and new friends, her family and her pets.

Left to cherish her memory are her parents, Tracy Wallner and Jonathan Gerhard Mertsch of Henrico, VA; grandmother, Marsha Sullivan McCracken of Chesterfield, VA; aunts, Stephanie Mertsch Lee (and Craig) of Chester, VA, Heidi McCracken Flanagan of Crozet, VA, and Kelly McCracken Halteh (and Haitham) of Falls Church, VA; uncles, Jon Preston Wallner of Chesterfield, VA, Karl William Mertsch (and Lisa) of Chesterfield, VA, Mark Jesse (and Michelle) of Elkton, MD and Tate McCracken of Charlottesville, VA; cousins, Alex, Austin, Tanner and Evan Mertsch, Shannon, Colleen and Megan Flanagan, Nickolas and Ian Halteh, Ryan, Lauren, Aaron and Logan Jesse, and Daniel Lee; and her beloved pets, Yoda (yellow lab), Sven (chocolate lab) and Hanna (tabby cat/ruler of the dogs).

The family will receive friends from 4pm to 8pm on Friday, March 12, 2021 and from 11am to 12pm on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 Parham Rd. Richmond, VA 23229 where funeral service will begin at 12pm on Saturday, March 13, 2021. Burial will follow at Hollywood Cemetery 412 S Cherry St, Richmond, VA 23220.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Sarah Lawrence College at www.sarahlawrence.edu - Talented, creative students choose Sarah Lawrence for the opportunity to take charge of their education. In close collaboration with their dedicated faculty, students create a rigorous, personalized course of study, conduct independent research, and connect a wide array of disciplines. Maddie thrived in the passionate, inclusive, and intellectually curious community at Sarah Lawrence College.

Or

To Write Love on Her Arms at https://twloha.com - A non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.