Mary Ellen Mayer

Sue, Brian and family. My deepest condolences for the loss of your beloved mom and grandmother. I met Mary Ellen over 4 yrs ago when I became the Director of OH, where she was lucky enough to fill her last days. She wss happy and content. She looked forward to seeing Sue every Sunday and to go to church with her. While that ended because Mary Ellen really was having trouble navigating due to her sight and being so frail, she loved going with her devoted daughter, She loved hearing that Sue was visiting that day, and it was clear that Sue loved coming to see her mom. When she heard Bryan and his family was coming, she wanted to be ready the night before. She didn't sleep too well the night before she knew of visits, so we tried not to tell her, She would come out of her room, asking if her family was there yet. We would say "Mary Ellen, it is 2am, go back to bed", she said she should stay up and wait for them and as long as she was awake, "how about a cookie"! She was often found at the snack bar after supper, watching the girls cook the deserts for the next day, of course she had her opinions on things should be made and she was our official taste tester! She was a hoot, plain speaking! Mary Ellen bought minutes, hours, days, weeks of laughter and happiness to all of us. Whenever she came out of her room which was often, she never wanted to be in her room except to sleep, she would meet us in the hallway and we would ask her "is there anything we can do for you Mary Ellen". She would say "I'm sure there is, I just can't remember what it is", and then we would say "would you like something to eat", "oh yes that is what I was going to ask you'! While she had her walker with her, she would stand straiht up, hand on hip and say "well where is the food". She loved her sweets! While she was considered legally blind, her nose worked so well....she had trouble finding her food on her plate, she had NO trouble finding and finishing her desert!! Mary Ellen loved the Friday devotion services, she often slept through them, but she could be seen often, with her eyes closed and her head moving to the music, mouthing the words and closely listening to the sermon, that particular church wsas giving. She was strong opinionated, which we loved about her, she loved to talk about her teaching days and LOVED to speak about her husband, children and grandchildren. She loved them all without reservations or hesitiations. Mary Ellen lived a good life and we were all honered to have her in our midst. She will never be forgotten. While I left OH a yr ago, whenever I stoppped in to see the residents, I would always sit with her a few minutes and while she didn't remember me anymore, she acted like we were best friends and treated me as such. She never met a stranger and given the chance would talk to anyone, she loved to talk. My favorite story was about her needing a 2x4, (I thought she was wanting a board, but it wasn't a board she wanted!), WHEW! The other story was about knowing Dr Fanney as a child and helping him get into his practice. We would all go along with her. I remember taking her to see Dr Fanney one time, and she repeated the story to him and being the great Doctor he is, he went along with it to appease her. Dr Fanney was so respectful with her and talked to her as he would any one of our residents, but it was obvious he favored Mary Ellen. (Although I must say I took many residents to see him) and he acted like all of hte residents were his favorites). Mary Ellen was lucky to have him as her Doctor and friend. We will miss her so much, there will never be another Mary Ellen Mayer. Again, my sympathy to you all. You all have so many memories of her as we do, and we will live in those smiles, memories and happiness forever. Love and gods speed to you all. In frindship and love, Jo Warren

Hi Sue, this is Lisa that used to work at Our House. I'm so sorry to hear the passing of your mother.She was a wonderful lady who had a alot of storys to tell. I especially loved turning her CD player on in her room and listening to the big band music w/ her. It reminded me of my grandparents era.Sneaking her cookies was always sweet as she never turned those down and it surely put a smile on her face! Helping her to play Bingo was a joy and she would always say to me to just pick out her treat as they were all her favorites! I'm sorry that I wasn't there for her final days. Keep me informed of when her service will be as I would love to see you.(I can explain to you then of why they got rid of me-caught someone doing wrong and when I confronted Sue I was used as the "scape goat.")So sad as I think of that place often and really miss the residents. Sincerely, Lisa

Hi Sue, I'm so sorry for your loss. Mary Ellen sure kept us entertained at Our House. She loved to watch us cook at night - we used to call it Mary Ellen's cooking show!! She'd give us cooking tips - especially for the chocolate chip cookies!! And of course she'd had to taste test one or two of them to give her approval! She was also the one we went to if we needed help spelling a word - she always had the correct spelling for us!! She was a special lady and she will be geatly missed!! Tanya Stone