AUBURN - Irene Mercado, 79, of Beech Tree Road, Auburn, died Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005. With her loving family at her bedside, she died at her home in Aurelius.

Mrs. Mercado was the daughter of John and Eva Petruiska Chalanick. She was born in Auburn on June 27, 1926. On Oct. 12, 1946, she married her late husband, George "Buddy" Mercado. They lived in Maryland from 1947-1977. At that time, "Buddy" was a captain with the Washington, D.C., Fire Department. Upon her husband's retirement, Irene and "Buddy" returned to Auburn, where they owned and operated Capt. Quick Print & Copy Center. Mrs. Mercado continued on with Capt. Quick following her husband's death on July 5, 1996.

Irene was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church of Auburn.

She enjoyed spending time with her children and family and also enjoyed traveling.

Surviving are four daughters, Deborah Schiebler, Pamela Cochran and Denise Bickford, all of Maryland, and Sandra Nolan of Auburn; three sons, George Mercado of Camillus, Nicholas Mercado of Pennsylvania, and Gary Mercado of Auburn; five sisters, Mary Ladouce, Annie Bachta, Helen Commerinsky, Julia Slywka and Sophie Forward, all of Auburn; 22 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Mercado was predeceased by two brothers, William and Frank Halanick.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Francis of Assisi Church. Following services, Irene will be laid to rest aside her husband in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Fleming. Friends are invited to call on the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at White Chapel Funeral Home, 197 South St., Auburn.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Irene Mercado may be made to Hospice of the Finger Lakes, 1130 Corporate Drive, Auburn.