Mary Ellen McCloskey

Mary Ellen McCloskey, 91, of West Chester, PA, passed away December 21, 2020.

Born December 24, 1928 in Corregidor, Philippines, she was a daughter of the late LCOL W. George and Mary Margaret (nee Hammond) Devens.

Mary Ellen was the beloved wife of the late Robert R. (Mac) McCloskey; loving mother of Michael J. (Mike) McCloskey (Constance), Robert M. (Bob) McCloskey (Catherine), Christine M. Kinsey (Wayne), and Margaret A. (Peggy) McCloskey (Robert Carter); adoring grandmother of John (Michelle), Robert (Esther), Steven (Gina), Terrence (Julie), Pamela (Jon), Christopher (Marlena), Megan (Ben), Frances (Nathan), Joseph, John, Maryanne, James, and Timothy; caring great-grandmother of 10; and dear sister of John W. Devens (the late Carol), and sister-in-law of Mary Devens. She was predeceased by her grandson, James Evan Ferry, and her brother, W. George Devens.

As the child of a career Army officer, Mary Ellen was a student at several schools across the country before matriculating at Dunbarton College in Washington, DC.  After graduation, she worked in the office of the Secretary of Defense.  On a blind date, Mary Ellen met the love of her life, Mac McCloskey.  They married on April 7, 1951, a union that only ended upon Mac’s death just a month before their 58th wedding anniversary.

Originally intending be become a teacher before she became a wife and mother, Mary Ellen turned her talents to decades of teaching the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine at her local parish.  She further devoted her time and energy to various roles in her parishes, including Lay Leader.

Mary Ellen maintained that her greatest achievement were her four children.  She nurtured them, scolded them, sewed their clothes, fed them homemade pies with divine crust, and always welcomed them back home with open arms.  Mike, Chris, Peggy, and Bob will miss her greatly.

Services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either E.W.T.N. at www.sd.ewtn.com/love-and-understanding-of-god   or to SS. Simon and Jude at www.simonandjude.org/memorial-honor-gifts