1962-2025
It is with great sadness that the family of Mary Ellen Mulligan (“Mare”) share her peaceful passing surrounded by family and friends on March 9, 2025.
She was a daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend.
Mary Ellen had a very long and courageous battle with cancer, which she fought to the end with grace and dignity. She never let cancer define her and the strength and determination she displayed were admired by all who knew her.
Mary Ellen was born and raised in Sudbury. She was predeceased by her parents D’Arcy and Mary Elizabeth ("Betty") Mulligan of Sudbury and her sister Mary Joan ("Joanie") Mulligan. She is survived by her brother Raymond Mulligan of Terrace, BC and his son D’Arcy, her brother Jim Mulligan (Karen) of Midland and their children Carly and Wesley and by her sister Cathy (Frank Ciardullo) of Oakville and their children Kristi (Ben O’Brien) and Sophie (Tanner Simms). She is also survived by her great niece Amelia O’Brien, and by a very large extended family of cousins.
Mary Ellen worked in the hospitality sector for many years in both Sudbury and Thunder Bay before life brought her to Manitoulin Island. She took pride in her home on Lake Manitou and the life she built for herself there. She loved her life on the island, spending summers by the water with family and friends, or curled up at home with her beloved cat Bear.
Mary Ellen began work at Manitoulin Secondary School in 2014 and always approached her role within the school with the utmost care and respect. She developed many friendships with both staff and students, in particular her friends Karlene, Cathy and Becky.
She will be dearly missed by the school community.
Family and friends were everything to Mary Ellen. She cherished both and she embraced her neighbours, friends and co-workers as an extension of her family.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Mary Ellen's medical team both in Mindemoya and Sudbury, in particular her nurses in her final days, Deborah and Caitlin. We are grateful for your compassion and patience with Mary Ellen and our family during a very difficult time.
We would also like to extend our thanks to Mary Ellen’s wonderful network of friends, of whom there are so many to recognize. In particular, we would like to acknowledge and thank Kathy and Clark, Kathy and Jed, Donna, Heather, Rhonda, Andrea and Archie and her dear friend Cheryl.
You all played a significant role in her life.
As per Mary Ellen’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date during the summer. Plans will be shared once finalized.
To honour Mary Ellen's memory, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.
Rest In Peace Mare
It’s been a few years since I retired from Manitoulin Secondary School, but Mary Ellen was never to be forgotten. She was that friendly face you could depend on every day, and in spite of sometimes challenging circumstances, she handled things with firmness but (almost always) with a smile. Rest in peace, Mary Ellen.
March 18, 2025
Mary Ellen was a true fixture of the MSS hallways. As students, she kept us in line, but was also there to lend a listening ear when we needed it. I always felt supported and cared for in her presence. This is a true loss to the community. Rest easy, Mary Ellen.
March 18, 2025
Mary Ellen, the legend of the MSS hallways. Just thinking of her brings a smile to my face, even now. She wasn’t just a hall monitor; she was a force of nature, a whirlwind of energy that kept us all on our toes – staff and students alike! She knew everything that was happening, a true “eyes and ears” of the school. I always looked forward to her visits to my Family Studies classroom. She’d pop in with a quick update on a student, a funny observation, or just a kind word, always making me feel supported. And later, when I moved into administration, she was an invaluable source of information and a constant source of encouragement. She had a way of cutting through the noise and getting to the heart of things. Mary Ellen, you left an indelible mark on our school, and you’ll be remembered with warmth and fondness. Rest in peace, my dear friend.
March 17, 2025
Our deepest condolences for the loss of your beloved sister, aunt, great aunt and sister-in-law. To the extended family, cousins and friends who were all a part of her life.
March 15, 2025