With profound sadness we announce the passing of Mercedes Hronek, our loving and devoted mother, grandmother, sister and friend to all whose lives she touched and passed away December 5th.  She was 98 years old. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Mercedes attended St. Joseph High School and Notre Dame College in Cleveland, Ohio and Boston College.  She Married her husband James Hronek (deceased) in 1948.  Mercedes is survived by her sister Joanne Bauers (Sr. Marie Cecile deceased), six children Joella Endres (Ken), James, Michael (Carol), Mark (Judy), Dan (Marsha), David (Michelle), 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.  Mercedes devoted her life to her husband, family, her church and her community.  She was employed as librarian with both the Cleveland and Solon Schools where she opened the world of books to inquisitive grade schoolers.  While working in the Solon School System Mercedes pursued her master's in library science at Case Western Reserve.  Mercedes belonged to the Church of the Resurrection where she was an active member in Parish Council, the PSR Program and a founding member of Future Church.  Mercedes was also a Eucharistic Minister who carried communion to the sick and elderly.  She enjoyed playing the piano at Statford Nursing Home, as well as, ushering at the State Theater.  Mercedes was an avid reader who read the bible and newspaper daily.  She was a member of the Western Reserve Book Club and a monthly writing class.  Many of her original stories were incorporated into a book for her 90th birthday.  Mercedes loved the people of Solon.  She knew the names their spouses and children, cared about their problems and celebrated their joys.  It was her love of people and her sociology background that inspired her to volunteer for Meals-On-Wheels and two hunger centers Epiphany and St. Aloysius where she delivered home cooked meals and freshly baked cookies.  Mercedes touched the lives of many with her music, cooking and baking.  Some of her recipes which have been passed down to her children and grandchildren will be part of her legacy.  Most of all she'll be remembered for her special talent for writing sending notes and cards with meaningful messages of love and affirmation.  Whether delivering food or visiting the lonely Mercedes always took them a warm smile and words of encouragement.  In addition to all of her volunteering and writing Mercedes enjoyed traveling.  "Her spirit of adventurism has taken her from near the equator at Ecuador-Columbia border to the Arctic Ocean at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska and from Hawaii to Europe".  She was fortunate to also enjoy many of the beautiful states of Florida, California and Texas.  Mercedes was known for saying "It's the Journey not the destination" in which she made the most of every hour and living every day intensely.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, 2600 Lander Road, Pepper Pike, Ohio 44124, Church of the Resurrection or Traditions Hospice, 677 Alpha Dr. H, Highland Heights, Ohio 44143.  Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 11:00 A.M.at the Church of the Resurrection, 32001 Cannon Rd., Solon with visitation at the church 1 hour prior to Mass starting at 10:00 A.M. Interment Roselawn Cemetery.