Obituary
Greece: Passed away peacefully on October 3, 2023. Mary Ellen is predeceased by her parents, Harold & Veronica Curtin; sister, Sandra Curtin. She is survived by her husband, David Stolz, children, Theresa (Todd) Borrelli, Brian (Brenda) Carpenter, David (Tonya) Carpenter; grandchildren, Joseph, Stephen, Joshua & Alicia, Jordan & Kelsey, Alen & Jason; great-grandchildren, Sophia, Joseph, John, Anthony, Amara, Aurora, Kenzi, and Ariya; sister, Charlene Curtin; many cousins, nieces & nephews.
Mary Ellen loved her family, friends & dogs. Conversations on the telephone were a common way to communicate with everyone. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, shopping on Amazon, and collecting things such as her dolls and Limoges. Mary Ellen was very proud of her family and they will miss her dearly.
Mary Ellen's celebration of life will be held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, October 14th at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane. Inurnment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rochester, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Aurora House, 2495 S Union St., Spencerport, NY 14559 in Mary Ellen's memory.
Remembering Mary Ellen Curtin, reflecting on the caring spirit that defined her existence. She touched the lives of many with her culinary talents, her love for shipping and her pets, her love for giving advice, and her acts of kindness.
Mary Ellen was born on June 19, 1945, in Alexandria Bay, NY. This day marked the beginning of a journey filled with love, laughter, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of life. From that moment, her life story began to unfold, and it was a story filled with moments of joy, resilience, and connection. She lived with her mother and father, Veronica and Harold Curtin, and her sisters, Sandra & Charlene. She grew up in Clayton in her house on John Street, and then when she was 6, her family moved to Watertown. She often told stories of her times in her mother's beauty shop, including when she was only 4 years old and found lipstick and made quite a mess. She spoke fondly of her memories in her father's meat shop as well. She grew up enjoying time with her Immaculate Heart Central High School friends and her many cousins, aunts, and uncles.
After graduating high school, she attended the State University of New York at Canton where she studied nutrition. Soon after she married Larry Carpenter, and together they had three children, Terri, Brian, and David. During this time in her life, she moved many times including to Texas and finally settled in Rochester, NY.
Many years later after their separation, she settled in Canandaigua. She worked as a buyer of computer systems and electronic components. During this time, she met David. They were married in November 1988. Soon after, they purchased their home in Gorham, NY. It was at this home Mary Ellen found the joy of gardening. They had a huge vegetable garden and she worked from Spring to Fall planting beautiful flower gardens in the yard.
She also enjoyed the times when Terri and her family lived with her in a nearby town. Watching her grandchildren Joe, Josh, Stephen, and Alicia grow was a special time in her life.
As an adult, she visited Clayton and spent time at the cottage on the St. Lawrence River. These visits were always filled with food, drinks, stories, and many laughs. As her parents started getting older, it became important to her to spend more time with family in Watertown. She eventually moved there and enjoyed spending time with her sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins. After the passing of her parents and sister Sandra, she made her way back to the Rochester area and settled in Greece by her son Brian, and this is where she spent the last part of her life. She enjoyed watching her granddaughters Jordan and Kelsey grow up.
Above all else, she was extremely proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She often told friends and relatives about their accomplishments and life moments over coffee, through phone calls and postings on Facebook. In her apartment she surrounded herself with their pictures. The later part of her life was ridden with illness and as she became more housebound, these pictures became a reminder of those loved dearly.
One of her greatest joys in life was shopping. Whether it was browsing through her favorite boutiques, hunting for bargains at antique shops, looking for interesting foods at the grocery store or scrolling through products on Amazon, she loved to shop. She also loved to read and write product reviews, sharing her experiences with items that she purchased. Her shopping trips were not just about acquiring things; they were an expression of her style and love for a mix of things from the past and the newest technology.
But what made her truly special was her talent in the kitchen. Her cooking and baking skills were legendary among family and friends. Her meals were a labor of love, and every dish she prepared was an expression of her devotion to her loved ones. Whether it was a comforting soup on a chilly evening or a mouthwatering dessert to celebrate a special occasion, her culinary creations were a testament to her nurturing and caring nature. Her most loved recipes were goulash, chili, meatloaf with potatoes, sauce and meatballs, zucchini bread with crumble topping, shepherd's pie, and ham with scalloped potatoes. Her favorite holiday to host was Thanksgiving. She would work for days to buy the right ingredients and prepare the side dishes. She loved fresh turkeys, cubed stuffing, rolls, homemade gravy and cherry pie. She also loved to host cookouts and was known for her amazing pasta salad and macaroni salad.
Mary Ellen was also a hub of advice. She has a knack for offering guidance and support, always ready to lend an ear and provide thoughtful counsel. Her words of wisdom were a source of comfort to many. She loved helping others, supporting those in need and simply offering a kind word or gesture to brighten someone's day. Her acts of kindness were a shining example of the difference one person can make in the lives of others.
We remember and celebrate not only the life of Mary Ellen but also the remarkable bond she shared with her faithful canine companions. Her love knew no bounds, and it extended not only to her family and friends but also to her beloved dogs; Rags, Champ, Stacy, Schnapps, Louie, Molly, Danka, Murphy, Abbey, and most recently her Biochon Poodle, Katie. Her dogs were not just pets, but they were cherished members of her family. Katie Rose came to her at a time in her life when she needed a companion to be with her as her time was spent more in the apartment than doing other things that she loved. Katie provided unconditional love and companionship. As she faced the challenges of illness, Katie became her constant source of strength and solace. She was there with her unwavering loyalty, providing a shoulder to lean on, a warm presence on cold nights, and a source of endless comfort during her toughest moments. She often said that Katie had the ability to sense her health and emotions. When she was feeling low, she would curl up by her side, offering a comforting presence. In the midst of illness and uncertainty, the love between Mary Ellen and Katie was a reminder that love transcends boundaries, and it was a testament to the healing power of a furry friend's unconditional love.
So, in honor of Mary Ellen, let us carry forward the lessons she taught us. Shop with the same enthusiasm, cook and bake with the same love, offer advice with the same wisdom, and perform acts of kindness with the same generosity of heart, in doing so we can honor her memory and continue her legacy of love and compassion.
Rest in peace, dear mother, and grandmother, knowing that your legacy lives on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing you.
Mary Ellen loved her family, friends & dogs. Conversations on the telephone were a common way to communicate with everyone. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, shopping on Amazon, and collecting things such as her dolls and Limoges. Mary Ellen was very proud of her family and they will miss her dearly.
Mary Ellen's celebration of life will be held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, October 14th at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane. Inurnment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rochester, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Aurora House, 2495 S Union St., Spencerport, NY 14559 in Mary Ellen's memory.
Remembering Mary Ellen Curtin, reflecting on the caring spirit that defined her existence. She touched the lives of many with her culinary talents, her love for shipping and her pets, her love for giving advice, and her acts of kindness.
Mary Ellen was born on June 19, 1945, in Alexandria Bay, NY. This day marked the beginning of a journey filled with love, laughter, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of life. From that moment, her life story began to unfold, and it was a story filled with moments of joy, resilience, and connection. She lived with her mother and father, Veronica and Harold Curtin, and her sisters, Sandra & Charlene. She grew up in Clayton in her house on John Street, and then when she was 6, her family moved to Watertown. She often told stories of her times in her mother's beauty shop, including when she was only 4 years old and found lipstick and made quite a mess. She spoke fondly of her memories in her father's meat shop as well. She grew up enjoying time with her Immaculate Heart Central High School friends and her many cousins, aunts, and uncles.
After graduating high school, she attended the State University of New York at Canton where she studied nutrition. Soon after she married Larry Carpenter, and together they had three children, Terri, Brian, and David. During this time in her life, she moved many times including to Texas and finally settled in Rochester, NY.
Many years later after their separation, she settled in Canandaigua. She worked as a buyer of computer systems and electronic components. During this time, she met David. They were married in November 1988. Soon after, they purchased their home in Gorham, NY. It was at this home Mary Ellen found the joy of gardening. They had a huge vegetable garden and she worked from Spring to Fall planting beautiful flower gardens in the yard.
She also enjoyed the times when Terri and her family lived with her in a nearby town. Watching her grandchildren Joe, Josh, Stephen, and Alicia grow was a special time in her life.
As an adult, she visited Clayton and spent time at the cottage on the St. Lawrence River. These visits were always filled with food, drinks, stories, and many laughs. As her parents started getting older, it became important to her to spend more time with family in Watertown. She eventually moved there and enjoyed spending time with her sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins. After the passing of her parents and sister Sandra, she made her way back to the Rochester area and settled in Greece by her son Brian, and this is where she spent the last part of her life. She enjoyed watching her granddaughters Jordan and Kelsey grow up.
Above all else, she was extremely proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She often told friends and relatives about their accomplishments and life moments over coffee, through phone calls and postings on Facebook. In her apartment she surrounded herself with their pictures. The later part of her life was ridden with illness and as she became more housebound, these pictures became a reminder of those loved dearly.
One of her greatest joys in life was shopping. Whether it was browsing through her favorite boutiques, hunting for bargains at antique shops, looking for interesting foods at the grocery store or scrolling through products on Amazon, she loved to shop. She also loved to read and write product reviews, sharing her experiences with items that she purchased. Her shopping trips were not just about acquiring things; they were an expression of her style and love for a mix of things from the past and the newest technology.
But what made her truly special was her talent in the kitchen. Her cooking and baking skills were legendary among family and friends. Her meals were a labor of love, and every dish she prepared was an expression of her devotion to her loved ones. Whether it was a comforting soup on a chilly evening or a mouthwatering dessert to celebrate a special occasion, her culinary creations were a testament to her nurturing and caring nature. Her most loved recipes were goulash, chili, meatloaf with potatoes, sauce and meatballs, zucchini bread with crumble topping, shepherd's pie, and ham with scalloped potatoes. Her favorite holiday to host was Thanksgiving. She would work for days to buy the right ingredients and prepare the side dishes. She loved fresh turkeys, cubed stuffing, rolls, homemade gravy and cherry pie. She also loved to host cookouts and was known for her amazing pasta salad and macaroni salad.
Mary Ellen was also a hub of advice. She has a knack for offering guidance and support, always ready to lend an ear and provide thoughtful counsel. Her words of wisdom were a source of comfort to many. She loved helping others, supporting those in need and simply offering a kind word or gesture to brighten someone's day. Her acts of kindness were a shining example of the difference one person can make in the lives of others.
We remember and celebrate not only the life of Mary Ellen but also the remarkable bond she shared with her faithful canine companions. Her love knew no bounds, and it extended not only to her family and friends but also to her beloved dogs; Rags, Champ, Stacy, Schnapps, Louie, Molly, Danka, Murphy, Abbey, and most recently her Biochon Poodle, Katie. Her dogs were not just pets, but they were cherished members of her family. Katie Rose came to her at a time in her life when she needed a companion to be with her as her time was spent more in the apartment than doing other things that she loved. Katie provided unconditional love and companionship. As she faced the challenges of illness, Katie became her constant source of strength and solace. She was there with her unwavering loyalty, providing a shoulder to lean on, a warm presence on cold nights, and a source of endless comfort during her toughest moments. She often said that Katie had the ability to sense her health and emotions. When she was feeling low, she would curl up by her side, offering a comforting presence. In the midst of illness and uncertainty, the love between Mary Ellen and Katie was a reminder that love transcends boundaries, and it was a testament to the healing power of a furry friend's unconditional love.
So, in honor of Mary Ellen, let us carry forward the lessons she taught us. Shop with the same enthusiasm, cook and bake with the same love, offer advice with the same wisdom, and perform acts of kindness with the same generosity of heart, in doing so we can honor her memory and continue her legacy of love and compassion.
Rest in peace, dear mother, and grandmother, knowing that your legacy lives on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing you.
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