Obituary of Mary Ann Meredith Scharf

Mary Ann Meredith Scharf, (75), of Morris Plains, NJ, died November 26^th at Morristown Medical Center due to complications brought on by progressive lung cancer.

Born March 25, 1948, in New Philadelphia, Ohio, Mary Ann was the daughter of the late Charles Curtis Meredith and Dorothy Weaver Meredith.  Mary Ann graduated from New Philadelphia High School as the Salutatorian of the Class of 1966.  She attended Ohio State University and earned a baccalaureate in nursing in 1970.

She married John Henry Francis Scharf on June 2, 1973, at the Broadway UMC, in New Philadelphia, Ohio.  She earned a master’s degree in nursing education with a specialty in Public Health Nursing from Teachers College, Columbia University, in 1972.  She earned her Doctorate in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction from Teachers College, Columbia University, in 1983.  Her career in nursing education spanned 46 years.  She taught nursing at Seton Hall University, College of Nursing, starting in 1972 until retirement in 2018.  From 2004 to 2018, she served as the Director of the Patient Care Simulation Laboratories.  For over 22 years, she worked as a nurse during summers and weekends at Irvington General Hospital, Chilton Hospital, the Visiting Nurse Service of Morris County, and Visiting Nurse and Health Services of Elizabeth.

Dr. Scharf was active professionally in various nursing organizations including the American Nurses Association (Commission on Nursing Education, 1978-82), New Jersey State Nurses Association, Gamma Nu Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, International (Gamma Nu Founding member, 1978, President, 1986-88).  She was Founding President of the Gamma Signa Theta Tau Consortium of New Jersey.  She served at the Regional Level for Signa Theta Tau.  She presented several papers and posters at Sigma Theta Tau, International, and the American Public Health Association.  In 2012, she was honored as an Emeritus Member of the American Public Health Association for being a member for 40 years.

Mary Ann was active in the Morristown United Methodist Church where she was a member since 1977.  She sang in the Chancel Choir, taught Sunday School classes for preschool children and third graders during the 1980’s and 90’s and a member of the Earth Aware Ministry.  She was also active in the Skylands Walk to Emmaus and Tres Dias of Northern New Jersey.  She was also active as a member of the Ocean Grove Auditorium Choir. 

Mary Ann’s hobby was family genealogy.  As a teenager, she began to trace her family history in Ohio.  During the 1980’s and 90’s she was active in the Tuscarawas County Genealogical Society and was recognized as a First Family of Tuscarawas County, tracing her family roots to early pioneers prior to 1830.  In 2013, she joined the Daughters of the American Revolution, tracing her lineage in the Gibson line to Chester County, Pennsylvania.

She is survived by her husband, Jack, their son Christopher Brian with his wife Christy, and granddaughter, Mattyson Elizabeth and grandson, Marcus John who live in Conroe, Texas;  along with their daughter, Lisa Meredith Wright with her husband, Andrew Wright, and their daughters Alia Meredith, Jennifer Katharine, and Natalie Janice who live in Katy, Texas. As well as her brother, David Meredith, his wife, Linda, of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and their two sons, Mark and Scott. 

A wake will be held Friday, December 1^st, from 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm at the Dangler Funeral Home 600 Speedwell Ave, Morris Plains NJ 07950.

There will be additional viewing at Morristown United Methodist Church at 10am followed by an 11am Funeral service on Saturday, December 2^nd, with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall.

Mary Ann will then be transported to Ever Green Cemetery in New Philadelphia, Ohio for burial near the graves of her parents and grandparents. 

For those unable to attend the Celebration of Life in-person ay Morristown UMC on Saturday at 11am, the service is being livestreamed and can be accessed at this link: https://vimeo.com/event/3923428.