Mary Ellen Maher

BORN:  January 24, 1945

DIED:  October 4, 2012

LOCATION:  Johnston, Iowa

Mary Ellen Maher, 67, entered her eternal life on Oct. 4, 2012 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am, Monday, Oct. 8, 2012 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1627 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, Iowa.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass at the church.  Burial will follow the Mass at St. John's Cemetery in Cumming, Iowa.

Mary Ellen was born in Des Moines to Francis and Mary Maher on Jan. 24, 1945.  She was a 1963 graduate of St. Joseph's Academy and a 1966 graduate of the Mercy School of Nursing.  Mary Ellen was a dedicated pediatric nurse and worked at Mercy Medical Center for almost 30 years.  She loved children, especially her nieces and nephews; she had a kind and gentle heart and gave of herself all her life.  She was always ready to give a helping hand and encouragement to all.  Mary Ellen had been a voracious reader, she loved literature and music, collecting items from Occupied Japan, antiquing, and she could debate politics with anyone.  Mary Ellen bravely fought a battle with cancer for 3 years, may she rest in peace. 

She will be missed by her brothers:  Jim (Donella) of Norwalk and Frank (Nancy) of Des Moines; sisters, Patricia of West Des Moines and Barbara (John) Selby of Bettendorf; dear friend, Sandy Lang and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Dan and Bob.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family.

ARRANGEMENTS BY ILES FUNERAL HOMES ~ WESTOVER CHAPEL IN DES MOINES. 

Published in the Des Moines Register on October 6, 2012.

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In you would like to leave an online condolence note for Mary Ellen's family, go to the following website and click on "Guestbook."  (I believe that until entering hospice care, Mary Ellen was living with her sister, Pat Maher [SJA '64].)

http://www.ilesfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Mary-Ellen-Maher/West-Des-Moines-IA/1120999