Maryellen Jeslyn Staley

She was the youngest of four children born to Olga Antonia Olson Burslem and George Gordon Burslem. She joined her siblings Marleane, Beatrice and Gordon on December 21, 1933, a cold and snowy day. It was a time when most families struggled to come out of the Great Depression, and Maryellen and her family were not spared from those struggles. But her determined spunky spirit served her well in life. Although the family had little to spare, she set on a course for success to rise above her circumstances. Her work ethic and academic excellence made her a shining star in school where she sang in the choir and played clarinet in the orchestra and the Doylestown marching band. But the best day of her life came when she and Frank Staley were introduced to each other by her sister Beatrice and his Aunt Pearl (Billie). Maryellen and Frank were married on October 15, 1951. During her work career she was a waitress, line worker at Smucker’s in Orrville, salesclerk at J.J. Newberry in Massillon, shoe saleswoman promoted to office cashier at JCPenney, and a Stark County realtor. She had many hobbies—sewing (she made most of her daughters’ clothes throughout their grade school years), crocheting, knitting, painting, making crafts with her husband, boating, fishing and cooking. She especially loved doing these things with her family.

When memory issues became apparent in 2008, she fought the inevitable diagnosis with the same spirit she grew up with. With her husband by her side, together they determined to wage battle against Alzheimer’s Disease. Some would say she lost the war, but to those of us who knew her, she merely decided that after 13 years in the trenches, it was finally time to rest.

Maryellen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Marleane Burslem First and her brother Gordon Burslem.

She is survived by her husband Ernest Franklin Staley to whom she was married 70 years. Her daughters also survive: Kathie Staley Covey (Rod) and her sons Nathan (Brooke), Matthew (Jaye) and Jonathan (Katie) Deremer; Betsy Staley Frake (Gordon) and their children Colin (Emily) Frake and Leslie Frake Craig. Maryellen was delighted to be a great-grandmother to Leslie’s three daughters: Felicity, Eden and Norah. Her sister Beatrice Burslem Samic and stepbrother Jerry Baker also survive as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.

The family expresses heartfelt appreciation to the staff and memory care team at Canton Regency who have lovingly cared for Maryellen and who made her transition comfortable and dignified. Appreciation is also extended to Aultman Hospice; donations in her memory may be sent to Aultman Hospice, 2821 Woodlawn Ave. NW, Canton, OH 44708.

Interment and a private family gathering have been held. We’ll miss her, and we’ll never forget this 88-year-old breath of time named Maryellen.