Mary Ellen Beattie

Mary Ellen Beattie

Mary Ellen Beattie passed away on September 25, 2021 at the age of 79.

One of her most enduring and endearing traits was that of nurturer and caregiver, of her children and grandchildren, her husband, family members, close companions and an extensive collection of dear friends. No matter the situation, Mary Ellen listened fully and shared of herself in a perceptive, caring and loving way.

Mary Ellen was born to Edward and Margaret (Fitzgibbon) Howarn on February 19, 1942, the second of two daughters raised in west Detroit. Proud of her Irish-Catholic heritage, Mary Ellen attended Epiphany Parish School and Immaculata High School (Class of 1960). She often warmly recounted the many joys of growing up in mid-century Detroit (Hudson's, street cars, Vernors and Faygo, Boblo Island boats) and served as a youth cheerleader for the Detroit Red Wings during the Gordie Howe-Ted Lindsay era. In the years going forward, she would drive many of the sportier Pontiacs of her era, including a LeMans, a Grand Prix, and a Firebird (she wisely left the minivans to Roy). Mary Ellen also maintained strong bonds to family in Bay City and loved annual family summer vacations up north at Grand Lake near Presque Isle.

Before graduating from Eastern Michigan University, she became engaged to Roy Beattie, a golf professional at Plum Hollow Country Club in Southfield, MI. They married the day after Christmas, 1964, and would soon relocate to Sylvania, OH when Roy became Head Golf Professional at Sylvania Country Club.

Over the next couple of decades, Mary Ellen and Roy raised two sons and two daughters in Sylvania. She was actively engaged as a parishioner, CCD teacher and volunteer at St. Joseph Catholic Church. She was also an enthusiastic hockey mom at Sylvania Tam-O-Shanter and volunteer at countless school functions, including service on the Parent Board of St. John's High School. After many years of helping manage pro shop sales at Sylvania Country Club, she and Roy would later build and initially operate the golf facility known today as Quarry Ridge in Ottawa Lake, MI. In later years, Mary Ellen enjoyed managing the bridal department at Elder Beerman in both Toledo and Jackson, MI.

Post retirement, Mary Ellen was an active grandmother to 13 kids in 3 states, while staying active with many close friends who shared her love of mahjong, cruises, or sometimes just a meal on the town. Unwinding usually meant a book in one hand and a phone in the other. Those who knew her best marveled at how quickly she would make new friends, nurture those friendships and build new connections among them. Mary Ellen is survived by her children, Dan (Sherry) Beattie, Jim (Kelly) Beattie, Sharon (Mike) Matousek and Janet (Dusty) Potter; her 13 grandchildren, CJ (Chelsea), Jake (Cara), Luke, Drew, Tyler, Aiden, Paige, Logan, Sullivan, Keegan, Cole, Quin, and Pierce; her sister Janet's, husband, Ed (Gerri) Parks; along with countless cousins; nieces; nephews; and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 40 years, Roy D. Beattie; her parents; and sister, Janet Parks; and her companion in later years, Ned Barnes. With Mary Ellen's death, so ended a line of Howarn descendants that Mary Ellen could trace back to the 18th century.

In line with her spirit of selflessness, Mary Ellen donated her remains to the University of Toledo Medical Center. A memorial mass and celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, October 21st at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sylvania. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or the Toledo Junior Golf Association.