Mary Ellen MACHO

Passed away peacefully at home in Burnsville, age 89, on June 6, 2023, just two days shy of her 90th birthday. The daughter of Edward and Mary McDonnell, she was born in St. Paul on June 8, 1933. Mary Ellen grew up in Highland Park and lived within walking distance of all her schools, from kindergarten through college. An excellent student, she was the valedictorian of her class at Derham Hall High School, which earned her a full scholarship to the College of St. Catherine. Mary Ellen received her BA degree in Elementary Education in 1955, and was hired that summer by Ames Elementary School in St. Paul as a second-grade teacher. She thoroughly enjoyed teaching and found great satisfaction when her students learned new concepts. After marrying Alfred Macho in 1957, Mary Ellen continued to teach school until 1959, when she decided to become a full-time homemaker. She was a very kind, loving mother, and her children loved her very much in return. Her husband's career in sales took the family from St. Paul to various cities throughout the country, including St. Louis, Kansas City, Golden Valley, MN, Cincinnati, and Alamo, in the San Francisco Bay Area. While each move was a challenge, Mary Ellen persevered; she made new friends in every city, and helped her children adjust to their new environments. When her marriage ended in 1983, she and two of her three children moved from California back to Minnesota to be closer to their family. By the mid-1980s, Mary Ellen returned to work, and became an employee of Park Nicollet Clinic Burnsville. A valued staff member of their Medical Records department for nearly 25 years, she was cherished by her co-workers for her warmth and quick wit. After retiring, Mary Ellen had more time for cooking, home decorating, reading, playing the piano, embroidering, and traveling to many places around the country with her son Tim, and daughter Sheila. One of her preferred destinations was Hawaii, where she and her family could visit her son, Dan, his wife, Joanna, and their children, Keanu and Ashley. Mary Ellen enjoyed spending much of her free time with Sheila; they were kindred spirits who did numerous things together, such as dining out, going to movies and concerts, shopping, doing crafts, cheering for the Minnesota Twins, and watching their favorite television shows. She was known for being humble, despite her many accomplishments and talents. One talent that Mary Ellen was quite proud of, however, was her exquisite penmanship – she often received compliments on it from friends and strangers alike. She was also proud of her all-Irish heritage, and she had the red hair to prove it! "Mayonne" (her family nickname) was a beautiful person, both inside and out. Mary Ellen was a devout Catholic, and her faith was an inspiration to many. She was a beacon of light who radiated goodness. A truly selfless person, Mary Ellen always put the needs of others before her own. Her family will be forever grateful for her love and devotion. She was blessed with good health until her mid-80s, when she was diagnosed with peritoneal cancer. It was a difficult journey, but one that she endured with courage and dignity. Admirably, Mary Ellen maintained her usual sunny disposition throughout her five-year illness, even during her time in hospice. A special thanks to the staff of HealthPartners Hospice for their compassionate care. Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Mary Connors McDonnell, infant son, Patrick Macho, brother, Robert McDonnell, aunt, Irene Connors, and former husband, Alfred Macho. She is survived by her daughter, Sheila Macho, sons, Tim Macho, Dan (Joanna) Macho, grandchildren, Keanu and Ashley Macho, niece, Maureen McDonnell (Scott Zieman), nephew, John (Stephanie) McDonnell and their daughter, Miley Charles, and sister-in-law, Mary McDonnell. Mary Ellen was a beloved family member and friend who will be deeply missed, but she will always be in their hearts. A private funeral was held at Church of the Risen Savior in Burnsville, MN, on July 28, 2023. Memorials may be made to Church of the Risen Savior, or the American Cancer Society in Mary Ellen's name.