Mary Ellen McDonald
Of Connecticut, formerly of Lynn/Nahant
Mary Ellen (Langevain) McDonald passed away peacefully at home on March 1and joined her beloved husband, Robert William McDonald, in Eternal Rest.
Mary was born to Esther (Harrington) and Clarence (Charles) Langevain in Lynn in 1942. She was raised on the little island of Nahant outside of Boston where she enjoyed a memory-filled postwar childhood of the fifties. Her brother, Larry, fondly called her ‘Sis’ and the nickname was used by all.
She embarked upon a nursing career at the Lynn Hospital School of Nursing in 1963 where she met her lifelong friends, Julia (Kilroy) Hoinoski and Mary Joyce.
She married her teenage sweetheart ‘Bobby’ March 6, 1965 and set off on an adventure as an Air Force wife. The couple made homes in Arizona, Massachusetts, and Florida before settling in Connecticut. They were blessed with five children in rapid succession, including surprise twins to complete the set.
Mary was a Girl Scout her entire life. As an adult she gave generously of her time as a troop leader, cookie chairman, service unit chairman, and her favorite role as a diversity educator in the Green Circle program. Her service was recognized by the Archdioceses of Hartford with the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton award. She also gave her time as a den mother for her son Ed’s Cub Scout pack.
Throughout her life, Mary had a love of sewing shared by her daughter Jane. She often made her own clothing as a young woman and enjoyed the art of heirloom sewing. She was an extremely talented seamstress and she volunteered her sewing to the Felician Sisters Convent. She crafted habits worn by the sisters for an audience with His Holiness St. John Paul II.
Mary is survived by a son, Edward McDonald, and four daughters; Ellen Gallegos and husband. Jerry of New Mexico, Jane Bessette of Massachusetts, Jeanne Louks and her husband, Shane of South Carolina and Janet DeGreenia and her husband, Timothy of Connecticut.
She said she wanted to give her children wings, she just didn’t know how far they would fly!
Mary is also survived by her brother, Charles Lawrence (Larry) Langevain, her beloved grandchildren; Sarah, Nichole, Megan, Krysta, Kandra, Kyle, Victoria, Timothy, and Tyler, and great-granddaughter, Rowan and well as many dear nieces and nephews. She enjoyed a special and close relationship with her McDonald family.
She was predeceased by her husband, both her parents, sister-in-law Donna (Hudson) Langevain, and her beloved godmother, Mary Lane (Sweetie) Bradshaw. She will finally return home to rest in Nahant, so dear to her heart. Relatives and friends are welcome to join the family on Wednesday, March 6 from 4 pm to 7 pm at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd., Enfield, Connecticut. A Mass of Christian Burial for Mary will be celebrated on Thursday, March 7 at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Church, 23 Simon Rd., Enfield. Please meet at the church. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions in memory of Mary may be made to the Girl Scouts of Connecticut at www.gsofct.org or Fund Development, Girl Scouts of Connecticut, 340 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106 For online expressions of sympathy or directions please visit www.leetestevens.com