Mary Ellen Hadden

Mary Ellen Hadden, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on December 26th at the age of 77 after a courageous battle with myelodysplastic syndrome. She grew up, the oldest of four children, in West Haven, Connecticut and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Manhattanville College. With a Master of Arts degree in Special Education from Columbia University, Mary Ellen spent much of her professional life teaching special needs students at The Grace S. Webb School at The Institute of Living in Hartford. Her enthusiasm for education continuing into retirement, Mary Ellen taught adult students to read at Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford, up until her illness prevented her from doing so in the spring of 2022.

Mary Ellen was a seeker of understanding with an adventurous spirit. She loved theater, summer concerts at Tanglewood, doting on her grand-dog, Ernie, and travel. As a child, Mary Ellen traveled cross-country with her family, toured Europe as a young adult, and visited Spain, Ireland, and France later in life. However, one of her favorite places in the world was curled up with a good book.

Mary Ellen was a caring and generous nurturer who created a community and a home for those she met. The friendships she enjoyed were significant and precious to her, and developed over the course of lifetime-from fellow volunteers and neighbors, to a virtual book club with friends in Arizona and her childhood friend group known as "The Girls on the Hill." She loved to host gatherings that tied her family and friends closer together and she never failed to show up when they needed her.

Mary Ellen's children are forever grateful for their devoted mother and her kind spirit. Her memory and the gift of her love will endure within the hearts of Edward, John, Timothy, Ellen and Brian Ciesielski, her daughter-in-law Christine and her five grandchildren, Emily, Ethan, Meteku, Abel, and Elsie, all of whom she cherished. She is also survived by the father of her children, Thomas Ciesielski, her beloved siblings, Ann Doherty, Elizabeth Lima and Arthur Hadden and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life ceremony is planned for late spring. The family asks that you consider a donation of any kind to the American Red Cross. Mary Ellen donated blood for many years and later utilized donations of blood and platelets during her illness. For details on the celebration of life ceremony and the online memorial board created to share memories, photos and videos, please email MaryEllenHaddenMemorial@gmail.com.