Mary Ellen Sheehan
May 12, 1944 ~ February 8, 2021
Mary Ellen (Farley) Sheehan, 76, Indianapolis, passed away February 8, 2021, at the Franciscan Hospice House. Mary Ellen was born May 12, 1944, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to the late William and Grace Farley.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John J. Sheehan. She is survived by her children, Mary Kathleen and John Christopher Sheehan; brothers William (Edna) Farley and Richard (Sandi) Farley; sisters-in-law Noreen (Dennis) Murphy and Rosie (Jim) Winans; brother-in-law Jim Sommers.
She worked for several years as a dietician at Methodist Hospital and served as Food Service Director for the Center Grove Community School Corporation, retiring in 2010. Mary Ellen was an active member at St. Barnabas Catholic Church. She was involved in the Adoration Chapel ministry, the widows’ group, and was also a Eucharistic Minister. Mary Ellen enjoyed reading, swimming, and was always interested in exercise and taking care of herself. She will be fondly remembered by a loving family and friends.
Visitation will be Friday, February 26, 2021, 10 – 11 a.m., at St. Barnabas Catholic Church, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Entombment will be at Calvary Cemetery. The Mass will be livestreamed by visiting https://vimeo.com/515293768. Memorials may be directed to St. Barnabas Catholic Church or to the Franciscan Hospice House. O’Riley Funeral Home is serving the family. Visit www.ORileyFuneralHome.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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My prayers go out to you! Mary Ellen and I originally got to know each other through yoga classes at the YMCA. Through a series of coincidences, we learned that we were also both Registered Dietitians and that my career path had followed hers in some ways. During one of Fr. Matt Tucci’s homilies at St. Barnabas, he asked if there were any Registered Dietitians present. Mary Ellen raised her hand and I didn’t. Afterwards, with a sparkle in her eye, she said to me “You should be proud of your profession.” I appreciated Mary Ellen’s deep Faith and her easy smile. Rest in peace my friend. Namaste.
I am so shocked and saddened to read of Mary Ellen’s passing. Mary Ellen and I first met while working at Stouffer’s Indianapolis Inn, 2820 N Meridian St., in 1968. We developed a long lasting friendship by taking tennis lessons together and traveling to Fla. Mary Ellen loved watching the beautiful sunrise so we’d get up early and go to the beach. The more time you spent with Mary Ellen, the more you wanted to be with her. She had a very serving heart and Loved our Lord and Savior. Prayers are for her son and daughter, John and Kathleen. Carolyn Perkins Mullineux
Kathleen and Johnny, Your mother was the glue that kept her brothers together. They loved her dearly. Our time at Keuka Lake was especially peaceful and fun. She will be in our hearts forever.
I worked with Mary Ellen in the early 70’s at Methodist Hospital. We were young dietitians. We reconnected during our retirement years. We were both avid readers and shared many of the books that we read. We also shared many things about our Catholic upbringing. Spoke to her on a regular basis and even while she was at the Rehab Center and St. Francis Hospital until she was no longer able to communicate. Rest in peace, my friend. Condolences to Johnny, Mary Kathleen and family.
I was saddened to hear of the passing of my friend, Mary Ellen. Because of the pandemic, I did not know that Mary Ellen was in the hospital or hospice. The last time I talked to Mary Ellen she was updating me on Johnny’s successful transplant surgery. I knew Mary Ellen through Center Grove and the Y. My husband taught Mary Kathleen and knew Johnny at Perry Meridian. Mary Ellen was always complimentary of Steve’s connection to her children. She and I had many conversations around the pool at the Y. I will most miss her honest a d thankful heart and cheerful disposition even through any trials she had in her life. She was an inspiration to me! We are happy for Mary Ellen but sad for us at this time. Steve and Jan Taylor or as Mary Ellen would call us Mr Taylor and Jan
I am so sorry to hear this. I served as a EMHC at St. Barnabas with Mary Ellen, and looked forward to her smile and her warm hello. I am sending love and peace to her family and friends, who will surely miss her.
Mary Ellen was a beautiful lady that I met as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at St. Barnabas. She was always pleasant and thoughtful. I will certainly miss seeing her at the 5pm Saturday Mass. May she Rest In Peace!
Lit a candle in memory of Mary Ellen Sheehan
Goodbye my good friend,I miss your phone calls. Thanks for being my friend. Glad I visited with you the week before you passed. Go and be with Jesus and John.
Mary Ellen sat near us at St. Barnabas for the 5:00 p.m. Mass for many years. She watched our children grow into young adults from the pew behind us, and shared countless signs of peace with us. As they went off to college and left home, she was always quick to ask us about them. We also were Y buddies with Mary Ellen, usually spotting her in the exercise room with her book in hand as I hit the treadmill. We also took yoga together. I was so impressed by her perserverence in exercise as she recovered from her broken hip. I will miss her smiling face and encouragement but she will be in my prayers at St. Barnabas and at the Baxter Y. Susie Walsh and Jim Carper
Mary Ellen and I dated for a year or so in the mid 60s, but we both were in college/ grad school or intern work in different states at the time. Wish we had a more convenient relationship. She was a beautiful and friendly girl. My condolences to her children, brothers and other family.
Sorry to hear of Mary Ellen Sheehan passing. I enjoyed working with her at Center Grove High School. She was always helpful with my Family and Consumer Science classes. My prayers and thoughts are with you!