Mary Ellen Say

Mary Ellen Say died on March 15, 2024 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. She was 88 years old. She was born March 26, 1935 to J. Kenneth and Lucy (Youngpeter) Say. A graduate of Central Catholic High School in 1953 and Mary Manse College, in 1957, Mary Ellen received a master's degree in elementary administration from the University of Toledo. As an Ursuline sister, Mary Ellen taught in several Catholic schools, including at an Ursuline mission in Puerto Rico. She served as principal at St. Charles School and St. Thomas Aquinas. She retired from De Veaux Junior High School in 2003 after teaching there since 1988. She served six years as a counselor at Camp Lady Glenn at Nazareth Hall, near Grand Rapids, Ohio. Her ambitious nature and interest in people was illustrated early in life through the various jobs she held, including the concession stands at the Toledo Zoo, Blade carrier, Neal's Drug Store and the Lion Store. She was an avid bridge player. Travel that began on family camping trips in the United States and expanded to numerous foreign adventures was a hobby and a pleasure that she enjoyed because of the people she met, the different cultures that were experienced around the world, and a lifelong love of nature. In the 1950s and 60s she traveled to most of the 50 states before her love of travel expanded worldwide. She traveled with her brother Rev. James K. Say all over the world, to 64 countries, and kept detailed scrapbooks and journals of their adventures. A trip to Krueger National Park in Africa was her favorite, but she also enjoyed four trips to Rome, and 25 cruises. On a family trip to the Vatican during Holy Week both she and her mother, the late Lucy Say, received a blessing from Pope John 23. When the pope saw Mrs. Say, who was in a wheelchair, assisted by Mary Ellen, he left the procession and gave them his Papal Blessing. Mary Ellen referred to the more than 150 souvenir magnets that she collected from the 64 countries as her Bucket List that she wanted to share. The magnets will be given to friends and relatives at Mary Ellen's funeral service. Her residence was in Toledo, but she also shared the Say family cottage at Long Beach on Lake Erie with her brother, where she enjoyed many friends and gatherings. She attended many of the Sunday Masses celebrated by Father Say at the cottage. Mary Ellen is survived by her brother, Rev. James K Say, sisters Roseann Kenny and Betty Adams, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers in law Pat Kenny and Dale Adams. Visitation will take place in the narthex at OLPH Catholic Church on Tuesday, March 19 from 10:00 a.m. until the start of Mass at 11:30, where she was a lifelong member, beginning with her baptism in 1935. Burial will be private the next day in Landeck, Ohio. Arrangements by Coyle Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to OLPH Church or Hospice of NW Ohio. Family requests that friends "do a random act of kindness for a stranger". Please leave a condolence message for the family at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

Tributes

Mary Ellen Say

March 26, 1935 - March 15, 2024