Mary Ellen Sheehan

Mary Ellen Sheehan (Finnell), a cherished mother, grandmother and friend, passed away at the age of 81 on March 28, 2025 in Jacksonville, FL, due to complications from a stroke. Born on December 2, 1943, in Glen Cove, NY and raised in the Bronx, Mary Ellen was a beacon of love and generosity to all who knew her.

A proud graduate of the Academy of Mount Saint Ursula's Class of 1961, Mary Ellen carried the spirit of her education throughout her life. She furthered her academic journey at Good Counsel College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Her love for the English language and her passion for education inspired many with her enthusiasm and dedication to the written word as was demonstrated in her unyielding commitment to a strong Catholic education for her children, grandchildren and the community. She sponsored an educational scholarship in memory of her late daughter Elisabeth and grew the highly successful Christmas Gala (now Mardi Gras) at the Ursuline Academy in Dallas, TX, an ongoing fundraiser which has raised millions of dollars for Catholic education over its history.

Described by those who knew her as loving, kind, and generous, she left a bottomless cup of wonder and excitement. Mary Ellen's zest for life was evident in her many interests. She found great joy in reading and could often be found multitasking with a book in hand, lost in the pages of a novel, a medical encyclopedia, the latest bestseller and the latest copy of People or Cosmo. Her appreciation for history, art and film provided her with endless topics for discussion, which she enjoyed sharing with friends and family. She had a unique talent for bringing people together, whether it was for a lively movie night, a bright birthday cake or a sparkling evening of conversation.

Mary Ellen was a loving, kind, and generous individual who brought comfort and joy to everyone around her. She was the glue that held her circle of friends and loved ones together, always offering words of encouragement, celebrating milestones and being the first to step up in times of trouble. Her unique ability to make each person feel valued and significant left a lasting impact and her life was a beautiful tapestry of connection, laughter, and the pursuit of knowledge. As we bid her farewell, her memory will remain cherished and her remarkable spirit will continue to live in the hearts of all who were fortunate to know her.

Mary Ellen's legacy is carried on by her brother Thomas, loving sons Jim (Karen) of Atlanta, GA, their 3 children and Chris (Montserrat) of Morristown, NJ. She was a doting grandmother to her grandchildren, Conor, Brendan, and Jessica, who will miss her warmth, her stories, and her unwavering support. Mary Ellen and her late daughter Elisabeth will continue to be a guiding light in their lives and her influence will to be felt for generations to come.

A service will be held to honor the life of Mary Ellen Sheehan at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bernardsville, NJ on May 6th at 10am. Her family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of love and support during this time and ask that her memory be honored by spreading kindness and compassion, just as she always did. Mary Ellen's presence will be deeply missed, but the memories she created will forever be a source of comfort and inspiration to all. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial donations be made to The Elisabeth Ellen Sheehan Scholarship Fund at The Catholic Foundation.

The Catholic Foundation

12222 Merit Drive, Suite 850

Dallas, TX 75251

(972) 661-9792

www.catholicfoundation.com