Merlyn Mantle, wife of Yankees Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle, dies at age 77

Widow of Yankees great Mickey Mantle dies

NEW YORK —The widow of New York Yankees great Mickey Mantle has died at a hospice facility in Plano, Texas. She was 77.

Family spokesman Marty Appel said Monday night that Merlyn Mantle died from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. She had not appeared in public since last August, at a private dinner before a memorial for former Yankees star Bobby Murcer.

Merlyn married Mickey on Dec. 23, 1951, following his rookie season. They were married for 43 years, until the Hall of Fame outfielder died of cancer on Aug. 13, 1995.

The Mantles had four children — Mickey Jr., David, Billy and Danny. Mickey Jr. died in 2000 and Billy died in 1993.

Merlyn will be buried next to her husband and children at Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas.