Born November 30, 1918 in Clarkdale, Arizona, to John Michael and Julia Sullivan O’Brien. She was the second born of seven siblings, and the last to pass away. Mary Ellen died June 6, 2012 in Santa Rosa, California.
She graduated from Clarkdale High School in 1936, and from what is now ASU in 1940 with a BA in Education. She received her Master’s Degree in Education from ASU in 1958.
She was an elementary school teacher her entire career and remained interested in learning and teaching for the rest of her life. She taught in Clarkdale, Safford and Phoenix. Mary Ellen was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, the professional honorary society of women educators for more than 60 years. She enjoyed playing bridge, and was a fierce sports fan of ASU and Notre Dame University.
She was a member of St. Gregory’s and St. Francis Parishes for many years, and a resident of Phoenix for more than 50 years before she moved to live with family.
Mary Ellen is survived by six nieces and two nephews, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass will be held on Friday June 15, 2012 at 10am at St. Francis Xavier Church, 4715 North Central Ave, Phoenix AZ. Interment to follow at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 North 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ
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