Maryellen Cashman Tally

MARYELLEN CASHMAN TALLY DEC 30, 1929 - SEP 25, 2010 Maryellen passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully at her home on Saturday, September 25. She was 80 years young, and loved by all who knew her. Born to Bea and Bill Cashman of Oakdale, she graduated from Oakdale High School in 1947. She married Dennis Tally in 1949 and settled with him in Tracy to raise their family. Maryellen was among a cadre of parent volunteers who helped get St. Bernard's School started in 1958 and all four Tally children attended. She volunteered at the school for 10 years and in 1968 became St. Bernard's first school secretary, a position she held for the next 14 years. Maryellen and Dennis retired at the same time so they could enjoy traveling and more time with family. However she was widowed four years later at the age of 57 when Dennis passed away from cancer. Almost immediately she began to fill her days with volunteer work...from the Tracy Hospital Auxilliary to the Delta Blood Bank and the Elections Board, you could always count on her to be there and always with a smile on her face. She scheduled volunteers at the hospital's gift shop for many years, and had worked two days in the gift shop herself the week she died. Never afraid of a challenge, Maryellen got her first computer this year and quickly learned her way around the keyboard, spending hours e-mailing friends and family, and playing games! Maryellen's biggest joy in life was her family. She took several trips to Europe with her children and grandchildren, and enjoyed time with family and friends in the mountains near Dardanelles, especially when raising her young family. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to play cards and practical jokes. She was a tiny lady with a huge heart. Little ones were drawn to her like a magnet - Nana'' will be so very missed by nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She is survived by her brother, Bill Cashman (Valera); children Jean Benner (Bill), Jane Johnston (Tom), Larry Tally (Sharon), Chris Tally and Lisa Tally; grandchildren Jonathan Benner-Ortega, Jennifer Ortega (Chris), Michael Benner (Liza), Patrick Benner (Kathy), James Quadrato (Brooke), Jill Krimmel (Peter), Laurie Hansen (Jonathan), Christina Cirriani (John), and Cassandra Tally; and great grandchildren Kaitlyn, Grace, Elizabeth and Emily Benner, Cole Krimmel, Logan Hansen, and Courtney and Carissa Quadrato. She was preceded in death by her husband Dennis and sister Luann Blattler. Visitation will be on Thursday, September 30, from 2:00-5:00 pm at Fry Memorial Chapel, 550 S. Central Avenue, Tracy. Funeral Services are scheduled on Friday, October 1, at 10:30 am at Fry Memorial Chapel. www.modbee.com/obituaries