Mary Mercer (MacNutt) Riis died peacefully on May 20, 2026 following a period of declining health.
She was born on September 4, 1938 in Philadelphia, PA to the late Alexander T. MacNutt and Elizabeth (Huey) MacNutt.
She grew up in Hempstead, NY, and spent summers at Camp Wyonegonic in Maine, where she formed some of her most cherished memories and relationships. She received a BA in Psychology with the class of 1960 from Colby College; there she met her husband and established lifelong friendships. She went on to earn an M.ed. from Hofstra University in 1961. She taught elementary school in Orangeburg, NY for four years, followed by two years in Wellesley, MA, then a year in Fort Riley, KS, where her husband served as a Captain in the Army Dental Corp before being sent to Seoul, Korea in 1969. She described their time in Korea as among the happiest periods of her life.
Mercer raised her children in Weston, MA, where she was an active member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, beginning in 1970. Her involvement included employment as Parish Administrator for over 27 years, in addition to many volunteer roles: leading Education For Ministry seminars, coordinating the music program, and organizing events and search committees. She was a close friend and counselor to many in the church community; relied on and admired by staff and parishioners. Post retirement, she continued to be an avid reader and expert crossword puzzler. She enjoyed cooking, birdwatching, and traveling, and above all, visiting with family and friends. Despite suffering a severe stroke in 2017, she maintained an active life with the help of her husband.
Mercer is survived by her husband of 63 years, Douglas N. Riis of Dover, MA; her daughter, Anne-Elizabeth Riis and her husband Scott Schmittel, and their children, Ella Riis and Katharine Riis of Portland, OR; her son, Christian D. Riis and his wife Carmen Rodriguez Sanchez of Madrid, Spain; her brother, F. Barry MacNutt and his wife Roberta MacNutt of South Hamilton, MA; and her nephew, Jeremy MacNutt and his wife Amanda MacNutt, and their children, Madeleine MacNutt and Keira MacNutt, of Beverly, MA.
We loved her deeply; she will be dearly missed, by us and many others.
A celebration of Mercer’s life will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 11:00am at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 320 Boston Post Rd, Weston, MA.
In lieu of flowers, her family kindly suggests making donations in her memory to the Organ Fund at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
Arrangements entrusted to the John C. Bryant Funeral Home of Wayland, MA. For condolences, please visit wwwjohncbryantfuneralhome.com.
