Mary Ellen Stanhope

The sweetest angel has left this earth, Mary Stanhope, at the age of 91, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Sunday, February 22, 2026. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Mary lived a life anchored in unwavering Catholic faith, kindness, and service to others. Born on August 21, 1934, she was a life-long resident of Pensacola. She was one of James and Margaret Mitchell’s eleven children. She always shared great memories of her childhood in downtown Pensacola growing up on Liberty Street, which is now called Zaragoza Street.

Known as Aunt Mamie or Aunt Mary to some, Grandmommy to others, Mary was the heartbeat of her family, placing her faith and her loved ones above all else. Her home was always open to friends and neighbors, characterized by a welcoming warmth. To know her was to know a true Saint.

Mary lived out her faith through action, spending many years volunteering at Little Flower Catholic Church. Some of her roles included feeding and clothing those in need through the Mother Teresa Mission, cleaning the church as a Heavenly Duster, as well as being a member of the Ladies Sodality and the Legion of Mary groups. In her leisure time, she enjoyed her crafting hobby that she shared with her sister, Bernadette.

Mary always said her husband, children, precious grandchildren and great grandchildren made her life a wonderful life. She was treasured and treated as an angel by her husband Chet during their 67-year marriage. Her constant presence in her children’s lives was filled with unconditional love, countless hours at the ballpark, camping trips, shopping trips and lots of fish fries. She was “Grandmommy” to her greatest pride and source of fun in her later years, her five grandchildren, who brought immense laughter and joy to her life. Her favorite thing to do for her grandchildren was to give them “pocket money” to spend on whatever brought them joy. 

She also had the great honor of becoming a great-grandmommy. Gaining her great grandson, Levi, brought many moments of much needed laughter and love to her during a time of great loss. At 91 years old, she was able to welcome her great-grandson Liam into this world with a warm great-grandmommy smile. Her eyes lit up when she saw him for the first time and got to hold him.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Chet; and her son, Chuck.

She is survived by her daughter, Lori (Jeff); her daughter-in-law, Kathleen; her five adored grandchildren, Olivia, Chase, Hillary, Trenton, and Will; and great grandsons, Levi and Liam; she is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the Funeral Mass is celebrated at 11:00 AM on Monday March 2, 2026, at Little Flower Catholic Church.

Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. A reception will follow at Little Flower Church Parish Hall. Pallbearers will be Jeff Crigler, Trenton Crigler, Chase Stanhope, Will Stanhope, Nathan Crongeyer, and Jason Hartzog. Honorary Pallbearers will be Don Godwin and Tom Sawyer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Little Flower Mother Teresa Mission, a cause close to Mary’s heart.

She will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.