April 4, 2024, 74, Goldsboro —
Alfonsina “Alfie” Merry Okano, 74, passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Navion Assisted Living in Greenville. Born on May 11, 1949, in Ponce, Puerto Rico, she was the daughter of the late Peter Merry and Daisy Santiago Merry.
Alfonsina entered the USAF on 5th September 1968 and served on active duty as a Telecommunications Operator through 28 May 1970. She served in the US Air Force Reserves through 2008 retiring as a Master Sergeant from the 716th Communications Flight as part of the 916th Air Refueling Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina as a Communications Computer Operator. Her assignments and training missions included service at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; Moron Air Base, Spain; Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska; Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; and Volk Field, Wisconsin. She often performed active duty with the 4th Communication Squadron, SJAFB, and considered her troops as her extended family. Among her many achievements, she was awarded the US Air Force Commendation Medal for her dedicated service and retired honorably at age 60 after 30 years of service. She was a proud American and an inspiration to those who served with her. Upon retirement, Alfonsina was a Spanish interpreter with Wayne Memorial Hospital in Goldsboro.
Alfonsina is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Mayo Lewis, and fiancé, Dave Giordano; her son, James Dalton Mayo, Jr. and wife, Angela; her grandchildren, Jenna Lewis, Lydia Lewis, Madelyn Lewis, Caitlyn Mayo and Haley Mayo; her sister, Daisy Isaac; and her brother, Henry Marrero.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Peter Merry and William Merry.
A service to celebrate Alfonsina’s life will be held on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. in the chapel of Seymour Funeral Home in Goldsboro with ENS Brian Warren CCPO USN officiating. Interment will conclude at Wayne Memorial Park in Dudley with military honors. The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105
Arrangements have been entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
