Mary Ellen McCarthy (nee Quinn) died peacefully on Thursday, February 4, 2021 in The Valley Hospital. During this journey, Mary Ellen encountered several doctors, nurses and aides, who became not only caregivers, but friends. For those of us lucky enough to have known her, she truly treated her numerous friendships “like flowers in the garden of life.” Mary Ellen was born in Yonkers, NY on January 29, 1944. In her formative years Mary Ellen lived in Roscoe and Monroe, NY. She served the Lord for 8 years as a Dominican Nun while in both Blauvelt and the Bronx, NY. Her 33-year Nanuet public school teaching career began in 1970. During this period, she received her master’s degree in education from Manhattan College. A close friend in the Miller Elementary School has quoted Mary Ellen as saying, “There is no such thing as a problem child, but a child with problems. As educators, we must identify and help them solve those problems.”
Mary Ellen’s true passion was teaching. After retirement she discovered her true joy – her grandchildren. She was happiest when surrounded by their laughter. She enjoyed countless sleepovers, art lessons, and spending quiet time reading a book with the kids. It was nearly impossible to keep her away from a piano or dance recital, soccer, basketball, baseball or lacrosse game.
Mary Ellen was dedicated to her family, friends and faith. She volunteered as a CCD teacher and a eucharistic minster. Mary Ellen was a friend to all. The life-long friendships she cultivated over the years were always on display, especially over the last few years. She loved enjoying a cocktail on the deck or a doughnut and hot chocolate in the living room. She will be missed by so many.
Mary Ellen is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Denis J. McCarthy, her devoted sons, Denis Q. McCarthy and his wife Elizabeth and Patrick J. McCarthy and his wife Melissa. Mary Ellen was a loving grandmother to Lily, Quinn, Dylan and Caelyn. She also leaves her sister Evelyn Intermaggio, her husband Joe and their three sons, Jim, Joe and John. She also leaves many nieces, nephews and several cousins.
The McCarthy family will receive family and friends at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home (www.vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff on Monday, 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM. A funeral mass will be held Tuesday 10:00 AM at St. Elizabeth’s RC Church ( https://saintelizabeths.org/live-streaming ), 700 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff. Cremation will be private.
In lieu of flowers: Memorial contributions in Mary Ellen’s name may be made to www.TommyStrong.org
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Mary Ellen (Quinn) McCarthy, please visit our floral store.