Mary Mercedes Etten (79) of Seneca, SC passed away on June 19, 2026 at Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson, SC after battling 4 years of vascular dementia. 

She is survived by her husband Marvin and 4 sons: Matthew of Buford, GA, Mark (Janice) of Lewisburg, WV, Peter (Karla) of Brambleton, VA, and Paul (Marla) of Shawano, WI. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren: Elijah, Emma, Anna and Evan. 

She married the love of her life, Marv, on August 26, 1967 in Menasha, WI. In September 1967 Marv and Mary headed off to Charlottesville, VA and the University of Virginia. In August of 1971 they headed off to Athens, GA and the University of Georgia with 4 sons in tow. In December of 1974 they moved to the Capital District of New York. 

In 1980 Mary decided to go back and get a electrical engineering degree. Mary graduated second in her entire Union College graduating class with a BS in electrical engineering at 40. After graduating Mary worked at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory improving the security systems for fuel storage initially. At the time of Mary's retirement in 2002, she was the lead electrical engineer for the water level control system for the reactor plant design of the Virginia class attack submarines. She was a brilliant person. 

To relax Mary liked fishing and knitting baby blankets for family and Birth Right of Seneca. She was predeceased by her father Matthew Schneider of Menasha, WI and her mother Anna Schneider of Albany, NY. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers can be donated to Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson, SC.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at Grace Episcopal Church. 

Burial will follow on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at Ramsey Creek Preserve at 11:00AM. 

Brown Funerals is assisting the family.