Mercedes Emma Gregor-Bennett Ph.D.

Mercedes Emma Gregor Bennett, Ph.D., 78, of New Jersey, passed away on October 27, 2025.

Mercedes was born on February 5, 1947, in Ecuador to the late Joseph Max Gregor Herzig and Rosa Radinger Gregor. From her earliest years she carried with her a quiet strength, a deep love of learning, and a determination to build a life filled with both meaning and beauty. After settling in New Jersey she made it her lifelong home and the place where her family, friendships, and passions would flourish.

Mercedes dedicated herself to both scholarship and creativity. She earned a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University and went on to achieve a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Redding University in California. These accomplishments reflected her sharp intellect and her belief in the power of knowledge. Yet Mercedes was never defined only by her degrees. She was an artist at heart, a poet whose words could soothe, a lover of classical music that often echoed through her home, and a designer whose eye for fashion reflected her grace and originality.

Her greatest devotion was to her family. Mercedes lived each day with selfless love, giving her all to ensure that those she cherished had the best life possible. She taught through both words and example that strength comes from compassion and that determination when paired with love could overcome any challenge.

Mercedes leaves behind her beloved husband, John Michael Bennett, and her treasured children: Gabriela Gedrich and her husband Edward, Henry Pintado, Elio Pintado, Brian Pintado and his wife Courtney Vilas, and Craig Pintado and his wife Joanne. She was the proud grandmother of Robyn Blache and her husband Richie, Ryan Gedrich, Tommy Gedrich, Evan Gedrich, Max Pintado, Matthew Pintado, Vincent Pintado, Sofia Vilas, Mason Vilas, and Emma Pintado.

Family and friends are invited to honor Mercedes’s life on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Riotto Funeral Home (For GPS, please use our parking lot address: 14 Stagg Street, Jersey City, NJ 07306).

In lieu of flowers, the family would be deeply grateful for contributions toward funeral expenses, which can be made via Venmo at @Brian-Pintado.