Barbara J. Mertins

Barbara “Bobby” Jordan Mertins, age 93, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 6th, after a sudden illness. A beloved resident of Morgantown, West Virginia for many years, and formerly of Pinehurst, North Carolina, she most recently resided at The Huntington in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Born on May 11, 1931, in Camden, New Jersey, Bobby was the daughter of Donald and Lois Jordan, formerly of Cape May, New Jersey. She was a loving mother to her two sons, Glenn Mertins of Hudson, New Hampshire, and Gary Mertins of Milton, Florida.

Bobby is survived by her sons, Glenn and Gary, and their wives, Kerry Mertins and Kelly Mertins. She was a proud grandmother to her grandsons, Tyler Mertins of Morgantown, West Virginia, Cole Mertins (and his wife Jessika) of Panama City Beach, Florida, and Luke Mertins, Peter Mertins, and Jacob Mertins, all of Hudson, New Hampshire; and a great-grandmother to Madeline Mertins, daughter of Cole and Jessika Mertins. She is also survived by her brother, Donald Jordan of Cape May, New Jersey.

Bobby attended Drew University in New Jersey, where she met her loving husband of 57 years, Herman “Mert” Mertins, who predeceased her in March 2011. She went on to earn her master’s degree from Syracuse University. Bobby was a distinguished professor of Library Science and Children's Literature at West Virginia University from 1969 to 1996, where she inspired countless students with her passion for learning and literature.

She was also a world traveler and enjoyed many trips with her husband, Mert, creating lasting memories together. An avid reader and games player, Bobby was a dedicated sports fan, particularly of West Virginia University football and basketball, attending many games and numerous bowl trips throughout her life.

While residing at The Huntington in Nashua, Bobby was very active in many programs. She loved teaching and playing Mahjong and other games, participated in play productions, worked in the library and at Lucille’s store, and was a proud member of the Chimers. Bobby was loved and admired by all and will surely be missed.

A service to celebrate Bobby’s life will be held on Saturday, September 21st at Community Chapel Church of the Nazarene, 5 St. Laurent St. in Nashua, New Hampshire, beginning at 10:00 a.m. A reception with refreshments and food will follow the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Bobby’s memory to the Community Hospice House, 210 Naticook Rd. Merrimack, NH 03054-4601, or the West Virginia University Foundation, One Waterfront Place – 7th Floor, PO Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507-1650.

Bobby will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her. Her legacy of love, learning, and laughter will live on in the hearts of those she touched.