Obituary of Mary Ellen Schwartz

Mary Ellen Schwartz, 61, entered into eternal life Monday, December 3, 2018 after a valiant, five-year fight with cancer. She was born on July 25, 1957 at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan to Thomas and Cecilia (Sullivan) Henry. She grew up in the Bronx and moved to Roscoe when she was 9. She majored in education, graduating with honors from SUNY-Oneonta and earning a Masters Degree in reading at SUNY-New Paltz. Her first career was as a teacher at Roscoe Central School, where she touched children of all grades and learning capacities, guiding the challenged through programs in remedial reading, writing and mathematics, and also offering instruction in the gifted and talented program. Her second career was as Coordinator of Religious Education at St. Joseph Church in Middletown. Her strong faith and her teaching experience helped her oversee a program that she built to be exemplary. But her greatest achievement was in putting smiles on people's faces, whether through her thoughtfulness, her quick wit or her volunteer work. She was a devout parishioner at St. Joseph and served as a eucharistic minister. She was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Mark, and her cat, Noodge. Many thanks to the professionals at Sloan-Kettering Memorial Hospital; to Stephanie, a nurse with Willcare who touched our hearts; and to Katherine, Laurie Ann, Melanie, Father Billy and the caring staff at Hospice of Orange and Sullivan County. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Church, 149 Cottage Street, Middletown on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. Father Dennis Nikolec will celebrate the Mass with Father Donald Timone concelebrating. Mary Ellen's cremains will be interred at St. Aloysius Cemetery, Livingston, Manor, New York In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pets Alive, 343 Derby Road, Middletown, NY 10940. Arrangements are under the direction of Colonial-Ramsay Funeral Home, 275 S. Main Street, Liberty, New York 12754. 845-292-7160 or 845-434-7363. www.colonialramsayfuneral home.com.