Mary Ellen Duffy

Mary Ellen Duffy's life ended June 3, 2013 the way she wished, with dignity, courage, an abundance of faith, and an enduring sense of humor. The foundations of her life were her faith, family, and friends. Her last days were spent at The Hospice Center in Mt. Pleasant, where she received wonderful care and earned the respect and admiration of her doctors and nurses. As her family celebrated her life with her, she was upbeat and engaged, prompting her nurse to say, "I will never forget her". Mary Ellen was born April 19, 1945, the third child of John Lawrence Duffy and Patricia Cantwell Duffy. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Bernard Joseph (1948) and her sister Patricia (1947). She is survived by her brother, John Lawrence Duffy, Jr. and his wife Jenney; her brother Patrick Michael Duffy and his wife Kathy; her sister Mary Rachel Amey and her husband Jack. She was a devoted aunt and great-aunt to two generations that treasure their memories of park outings, baking, and card games with "Aunt Mimi-I". She also treasured her extended family of friends, their children and grandchildren. Mary Ellen attended parochial schools and graduated from Bishop England High School in 1963. She remained close to her classmates who recently celebrated their 50th reunion. Mary Ellen then entered the convent of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy. As Sister Mary Leon, she served in parishes in St. Louis, MO and Middlesex, NJ. After leaving the religious life, she completed her degree in Spanish at the Baptist College of Charleston and earned her Master's Degree in Counseling from the University of South Carolina. Mary Ellen spent many years teaching Spanish at Sumter High School and St. Andrews High School. She completed her career as a guidance counselor at James Island High School. In retirement she remained active presenting Spanish speaking scenarios at the United States Border Patrol School, teaching basic Spanish to emergency room personnel, and teaching English to Spanish speaking workers at Kiawah Island. She was also active in community work and especially enjoyed her volunteer work with the Piccolo Festival. Mary Ellen found a home at Calvary Lutheran Church, where she started ESL (English as a Second Language) Programs. The Church embraced her and its members sustained and comforted her through her long battle with health problems. Over the years, her medical challenges were biblical in nature and in number, but she never lost faith. Mary Ellen treasured bridge games with her lifelong friends and was always ready with a quip or the latest joke. She loved to recount humorous stories from her varied life experiences and actually turned them into a stand-up comedy routine. She performed successfully for many businesses and church and fraternal organizations. She was also a sought-after motivational speaker. Mary Ellen was a self-contained "force of nature" and could fairly be called "an O'Melia woman", after her paternal grandmother and aunts. She accepted life's challenges fearlessly and without complaint. She will be dearly missed and remembered with love and admiration. The relatives and friends of Mary Ellen Duffy are invited to attend her Funeral Service at 10:30 AM Wednesday, June 5, 2013, from the sanctuary of Calvary Lutheran Church, 1400 Manor Blvd., Charleston. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery on James Island. The family will receive friends between 4:00 & 7:00 PM Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy., Charleston. Donations in Mary Ellen's memory may be made either to Hospice of Charleston Foundation, 676 Wando Park Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, or to Lutheran Children's Fund, c/o Calvary Lutheran Church, 1400 Manor Blvd., Charleston, SC 29407.