Mary Ellen Settle

Mary, beloved wife and mother, 80, of Middletown, RI, passed away very unexpectedly at Hopehealth Hospice & Palliative Care on March 7th, leaving a void her family cannot fill.

She was born in Taunton, MA in 1944 to Celeste (Silva) and Manuel (Mitchell), and was raised in Portsmouth, RI, where she worked in the Family store in Common Fence Point. Her generosity started young when she once invited her entire school bus of kids to the store for ice cream, to her parents' surprise. Mary attended Catholic High School before meeting her soul mate, Larry, at the Lincoln Park Ballroom. They quickly fell in love and married in November 1962. A first dance that would last for 52 years. A woman of deep faith, Mary dedicated her life to family and Our Lord Jesus, finding solace and strength in her belief's, raising a beautiful close-knit family.

Mary was preceded in death by husband, Larry and is survived by sister, Nancy Combra (Eddie) of Portsmouth, who will never forget the love Mary brought to her life. She is also survived by 4 children Larry Settle (Debra) of Newport, RI, Marie Smith (Bob) of Tiverton, RI, Tom Settle (Vickie) of Portsmouth, RI, Sharon Fleming (Jerry) of Cranston, RI, and foster daughter Sheryl Wales (Victor) of Greenfield, MA; 8 grandchildren, Maryellen Chaffin (Justin), Maggie Tomlinson (Justin), Kimberly Williams (Dan), Jennifer Budlong (Mike), Zac Settle (Nicole), Logan Settle, Patrick Fleming (Crystal), Douglas Fleming (Carissa); 7 great-grandchildren; Jackson, Branson, Claire, Noel, Tyler, Benjamin and Joshua. She was adored by niece Beverly Hodsdon (Mark), son Ethan (wife Keylea), and especially her daughter Darci, as well as nephew Jim Combra (and son Dylan).

Her kindness and generosity were unmatched, and she never spoke a bad word or passed judgement. She loved you unconditionally and you knew it. If you had the privilege of encountering Mary, you know how incredibly special she was and you more than likely made an instant friend, walking away with a laugh, hug and a huge smile.

Mary lived a wonderful and generous life; an Associate with the Sisters of St. Chretienne, many volunteered hours, various roles in her parish St. Lucy's, donated to several charities and rescued many animals including favorites Coco, Charlie, Kuma and Dusty who she cherished and cared for, spoiling each of them as if they were her children.

She enjoyed time with family, friends, Sisters, visiting and eating out with family and friends, and driving to Cranston weekly to visit her daughter. Her absolute favorite day was Thursday card night where her children and her sister gathered at the kitchen table to share a meal and play cards.

She was the friend who would drive you to church or your doctor's appointment just as freely as she would join you for breakfast or lunch. She was known to drop off food or flowers at your front door just because. Whoever has a friend like her is truly fortunate. She will be forever missed but her family takes great comfort knowing she is reunited with the love of her life, Larry, and Our Lord Jesus.

Visitation with the family will be on Thursday, March 13th, from 4:00-7:00 PM in the Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway, Newport, RI. Her funeral will be held on Friday, March 14th at 10:00 AM with a Mass of Christian burial at St. Lucy's Church, West Main Rd, Middletown. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery, Brown's Lane, Middletown, RI. Donations in her memory may be made to the Sisters of St. Chretienne.