I'm sorry for your loss

Not quite sure when Mary-Ellen joined us, but whe was a welcome presence ever since.  Many called her the child whisperer, just because she had a way about children.  She seemed to know what drove them, and certainly how to speak with them.  And that was the thing... She spoke with them, not at them. In any way she could, she created relationships with those that needed it most and in doing that, created a sense of safety and approachability to all those that witnessed her interactions. I learned a few more things about myself and about children thanks to Mary-Ellen.  More tools to add to my toolkit when working with children. 

I enjoyed our consversations we had and deeply regret that we never went out for that lunch we were always talking about.  As memebers of Mary-Ellen's family, you would be very proud of her and to have seen her "in action". You have to know that every child and member of staff was very fond of her.  I keep her picture on my desk every day, and will look at it often to remember the great things she did for me and our school. It was my honour to get to work with her. Would have loved to have known her better and certainly for longer.  

Take good care of yourselves and take comfort knowing that Mary-Ellen left her mark : )

I met Mary-Ellen in September 2020. Although I did not know her for very long, she left a huge impression on me. I was new to JES, displaced from my previous school during the Covid brouhaha of 2020. It was a  tough time for everyone but I was feeling especially vulnerable being in a new school with so many new faces,  routines and safety protocols. Mary-Ellen stopped by my classroom to chat every morning as she collected and dropped off contact tracing sheets to all the classrooms. She commented on my early arrival each morning and we  would often commiserate on our early bird routines. She was my first friend at JES. I looked forward to our chats each morning. She loved her family deeply. Mary-Ellen missed her late husband desperately and  would clutch a special necklace as she spoke of him. She was so happy when the missing charms were relocated after they had been lost during an episode with a student who was in crisis. When I think of those first few days/weeks at JES I always think of her and the kindness she showed to me and by all accounts, everyone.  Nicole White

Mary-Ellen and I worked together at Jockvale. I loved when she would come into my classroom. You could feel the love she had for the children she worked with. She was so easy to be friends with. She loved her family and talked about them all of the time.  I miss her and think of her often - especially whe I see unicorns. 

My condolences to Mary-Ellen's family. I first met Mary-Ellen when we worked at Jockvale together. For the first year, she was an EA in the kinder class I worked in while I was going through an extremely hard time. I hardly knew her but for months she would check in and make sure I was taking care of myself. After a few months, she offered me a place to stay when I needed I out of the my house that’s when our friendship really started. That’s the kind of person she was. She would help a stranger if they needed it. She was so incredibly selfless, thoughtful, and incredibly straight up. She loved my kids so much and they still think and talk about her all the time. She made a lasting impression in our lives and our world is better because of her. Missin you everyday Ethel ❤️

Mary-Ellen loved all the students at our school (Jockvale) and she always found a way to connect with each of them. I remember one day I saw her in the hallway and her hair was all different strips of colour. I asked her what happened and she told me that she let some kindergarten kids paint her hair rainbow colours since it washed out and it made them happy so that made her happy. She was a very special person.
❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜

Mary Ellen was a great sister, and a very caring loving person . I miss her so much. She always looked for me, and was there when I really needed her.

My dad called me for the first time ever (I had never met him at the time). Mary-Ellen says "is that him? Give me the phone. Hello, I'm Daniels mother. I just want you to know Nobody make Mary Poppins cry. We call her Mary Poppins because of how sweet she is.

Later I told Daniel what she said and Daniel teased his mom about how she threatened my dad. She said it wasn't a threat. I felt so special and loved because she said that to him.

Mary-Ellen always had a story to tell. She was good at story telling and captivating you. Most of her stories where about the kids from work. 

Mary-Ellen drove to London filled her car with some of my stuff then drove back to Ottawa. Leaving her son to help pack up the rest of my stuff with me. I was having family issues and she didn't hesitate when Daniel asked to come help. It seemed to be the kind of person she was. She even offered for me to live with her well I figured things out. 

Mary Ellen and Dave came to see the fireworks in Renfrew. So Daniel could see me. The fireworks were so loud I kept jumping each time they went off. Mary Ellen thought it was funny but tried to show concern. I tried to brush it off like it didn't happen.

After we went to a German restaurant. Dave let me try some unusual food he ordered. The rest of us got schnitzel.

That was the first time I met Dave.