Mary Ellen (Reidy) Harper

Ware - Mary Ellen Harper passed away peacefully at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading, MA on Thursday, October 22, 2020.

Mary Ellen was born on December 22, 1941 in Ware, MA, the daughter of Francis X and Ellen Veronica (Guilfoyle) Reidy and was raised in Gilbertville, MA. She was a graduate of St. Aloysius School, Hardwick High School and Worcester State College. While working at Friendly’s in Ware, she met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Harper. They were married on August 1, 1964 and lived in Ware to raise their three children, Rob, Ellen and Tom.

Mary Ellen absolutely loved being a teacher. She began her career at Brookfield Elementary School and then moved to the Stanley M. Koziol Elementary School in Ware, where she taught 4th grade for over 26 years before retiring in 1998. She loved her students and they loved her. Her house and Christmas tree were always adorned with the thoughtful gifts and ornaments she received from her students.

She was a charter member of the Hole-In-The-Wall Club at 2 East Street in Gilbertville. She was a member of the Ware Teachers Association, serving as secretary and vice president, Massachusetts Teachers Association, National Education Association, Daughters of Isabella, Ware Social Science Club, Mary Lane Hospital Auxiliary, serving as vice president and president. She was a communicant of All Saints Church and served on its Parish Council.

Mary Ellen enjoyed reading and solving crossword puzzles. She enjoyed a good party and spending time with family and friends. She had an infectious laugh and you could always tell where she was because of it. She absolutely loved to travel near and far. She enjoyed trips to Maine, especially her time in Ogunquit, Jamestown, RI where she cherished her “summer family,” Florida and the Caribbean. She was especially happy to be able to travel to Ireland, which was a childhood dream.

Mary Ellen was devastated when she lost her husband, Bob, in 2000, after thirty-six years of marriage. She was also predeceased by her brother, Jack Reidy, her daughter-in-law, Amy Harper, and her great-granddaughter, Magnolia Harper.

Mary Ellen is survived by her son, Rob of South Berwick, ME, her daughter, Ellen Kenney and her husband, Brian of Winchester, MA, her son Tom and his wife, Celina of Ware, MA and grandchildren Rob, and his wife, Morgan, Olivia and Shaemus and great-granddaughter, Evelyn.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a hospice home of your choice. Mary Ellen’s family would like to give special thanks the caregivers of Home Instead who cared for her, helping her to remain in her beloved home for as long as she could.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in All Saints Church, 17 North Street in Ware, on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at 11:00 am.  Burial will be in New St. William Cemetery following mass.  There will be no calling hours. In accordance with the current state pandemic and All Saint’s Church regulations, masks must be worn while in church at the cemetery.  

Charbonneau Funeral Home, 30 Pleasant Street in Ware is assisting her family with arrangements.  

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