The last word

Deena Mersky, community activist, social worker and professor, died Friday, Aug. 10, at the age of 87. In her obituary, her three daughters note that Mersky had “a lifelong commitment to progressive politics and social equality.” She worked at Planned Parenthood as a social worker, later becoming chair of the group’s board of directors. In addition she was on the board of Women & Their Work as well as Jewish Family Services and served on the Travis County grand jury. She met her husband, Roy Mersky, at the University of Wisconsin. He was a professor and director of the Tarleton Library at the University of Texas Law School. He passed away in 2008. According to her obituary, “if you would like to honor Deena with a contribution, she asks you to donate to any cause which will remove the current president and those who support him, sooner rather than later. Two of her specific favorites were Casa Marianella and the Southern Poverty Law Center.” Her family is planning a memorial service at 4 p.m. on Oct. 21 at Congregation Beth Israel, 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd.