• Mary Shafer Cermak Mary Shafer Cermak Mary Shafer Cermak, a former Kaua‘i resident for 18 years, died Dec. 12, 2004, in Tallahassee, Fla., at the age of 77. Originally from Pennsylvania, she was a registered nurse and a former
• Mary Shafer Cermak
Mary Shafer Cermak
Mary Shafer Cermak, a former Kaua‘i resident for 18 years, died Dec. 12, 2004, in Tallahassee, Fla., at the age of 77.
Originally from Pennsylvania, she was a registered nurse and a former United States Navy Nurse Corps Lieutenant. After completing nurses training, she joined the Navy and served for eight years as a nurse reaching the rank of Lieutenant. Her service included an assignment on a Hospital Ship, USS Haven during the Korean War.
Her deployments took her to Inchon Harbor, Korea, the Sea of Japan, and to Vietnam where she contributed to the care of 1000’s of combat wounded.
After completing naval service, she lived briefly in Virginia, California, then settled in Hawai‘i for 20 years. Moving from O‘ahu, she enjoyed Kaua‘i very much, living in Hanapepe, Kekaha, and then Waimea. She made many friends, raised two children, attended Waimea Foreign Church and worked at Wilcox Hospital. She was active in the Girl and Boy Scouts. After moving from Hawai‘i, she lived briefly in Nevada, finally settling in Florida.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Frank Cermak, daughter Heidi, son Frank III, daughter-in-law Brigid; sister Bette, cousins, Fern and Joan, nieces, Shirley and Pamela, nephews, Scott and Kevin.
A memorial service was held at the Lafayette Presbyterian Church on Jan. 2, 2005.
