Obituaries

Ellen T. Marren, 87; Former Teacher Who Worked in St. Mary Parish Office

Calling hours are scheduled for Thursday, May 31 with the funeral set for Friday, May 30.


From Graham Funeral Home.

Ellen T. Marren (nee Stack) passed away peacefully at her home in Greenwich, surrounded by her family on May 22, 2014. She was 87.

She was born in New York City on May 15, 1927, she was the daughter of Dr. Joseph A. and Helen (nee Beckett) Stack of New York City and Montgomery, NY. 

Ellen attended Villa Maria Academy and graduated from St. Simon Stock High School (1945), Our Lady of Good Counsel College (now Pace University) in White Plains (BA, Mathematics - 1949) and Columbia University Teachers College in NYC (MA, Mathematics - 1951).

Ellen's working career began as a mathematics teacher at Linden High School, Linden, NJ and then as a counselor and administrator at Pace University followed by parish office work for St. Mary Parish in Greenwich. Ellen took pride in being active in her children's schools including Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Elmsford, Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle and School of the Holy Child in Rye.

She was the author of Wonderful Memories, a collection of funny and memorable family stories.a

Ellen will be remembered for her strong Catholic faith. She set an amazing example for all those who knew her and always went the "extra mile" to help those in need. Ellen loved having a big family and bringing people together. She always felt blessed and happiest in a room filled with family and friends. Her interests included playing golf, watching her children and grandchildren play sports, enjoying all levels of Sudoku, playing Canasta with friends, following and investing in the stock market, knitting, needlepointing, designing floral arrangements and creating exquisite Christmas wreaths.

Ellen enjoyed spending time in Sea Pines Plantation, Hilton Head Island, SC, traveling in the US and abroad, owning dogs, learning about wildlife and attending Broadway shows. Additionally, Ellen was an avid NY Yankees and Miami Heat fan.

Ellen married her beloved husband, Bernard D. Marren, Esq. on Nov. 22, 1952, a marriage of 30 wonderful and fun-filled years.

The six surviving children include: Bernard D. Marren, Jr. (Seane nee Donohue) of Rye, NY; Joseph H. Marren (Joan nee Murtagh) of Harrison, NY; Elizabeth T. Marren of Darien, CT; Susan M. Whelan (William) of Rye, NY; David S. Marren (Caroline nee Dillon) of Darien, CT; Robert J. Marren (Susan nee Lifvendahl) of Winnetka, IL. A seventh child, Mary Ellen died shortly after birth.

Also surviving are 25 grandchildren: Tracey Marren Mumford and Timothy Marren; Anne Marren Bahr, Kathleen, Elizabeth, Patricia, Mary Kate, Caroline and Joseph Marren; Mary Whelan Lovely, Patrick, David, Helen, Kelly and Caroline Whelan; Katherine, Molly, Margaret and Peter Marren; Thomas, Megan, Robert, Kristin, Kevin and John Marren; one great granddaughter: Claire Ellen Lovely; three sisters: Maria Stack Kinsella, MD, St. Louis, MO; JoAnne Stack, New York, NY and Greenwich, CT; and Cynthia Stack Byrnes of Montgomery, NY.
Ellen was predeceased by one grandchild: Colin Marren.

The family will receive friends at the Graham Funeral Home, 1036 Boston Post Rd. Rye, NY on Thursday, May 29, from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 30 at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 469 North St., Greenwich, at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory to The Trustees of Columbia University; in the memo line write PLS (Primary Lateral Sclerosis) Research. Address: Columbia University Medical Center, Office of Development, 100 Haven Ave., Suite 29D, New York, NY 10032 Attn: Matt Reals.
 


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