Mary Ellen O’Donnell, 70

Mary Ellen O’Donnell, 70, of Myerstown, PA, formerly of Millersville, PA, formerly of Linden, NJ, died Tuesday at the Center for Hope Hospice in Scotch Plains, NJ.  Born in St. Louis, MO, she was the daughter of the late Leo Sullivan and Sophie Walter Sullivan.  She was the wife of the late Walter A. O’Donnell, who died in 2005.

Mary Ellen was an R.N. and worked much of her life at various hospitals and nursing homes in NJ and PA, including Rahway Hospital and Moravian Manor.  She dedicated her career to geriatrics, finding great happiness in her care of others. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed preparing dried flower arrangements.  Mary Ellen devoted much of each day to prayer and attended Mass as often as possible.  She recently became a Missionary Oblate of The Benedictine Order, an attainment she counted among one of her greatest accomplishments in life.

Surviving are her three children: Theresa, wife of Doug Velting of Jackson, NJ; Anthony Prieto, husband of Shari of Westfield, NJ; and Nancy, wife of Alfred Turello of Califon, NJ.  Also surviving are eight grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 12 noon at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 440 St. Joseph St., Lancaster, PA 17603.  Interment in St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery, Bausman, PA.  A viewing will be held at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 441 N. George Street, Millersville, PA on Saturday from 9:30 – 11:15 am.  Flowers will be received or contributions in Mary Ellen’s memory may be made to Salesians Missions, 2 Lefevre Lane, New Rochelle, NY 10801-5710, www.salesianmissions.org. To send an online condolence, visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory 717-872-5041