Mary Ellen Luensman

Mary Ellen Luensman, 79, of Saint Johns, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on December 17, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Born on August 30, 1945, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, she was the beloved daughter of James Paul Feeney and Ellen Elizabeth Feeney nee Marmion.

Mary Ellen was a lifelong educator, earning her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Villa Maria College in May 1967 and completing graduate coursework at Western Maryland College from 1968 to 1973. She devoted 38 years to elementary school teaching for Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, shaping countless young minds with her dedication and passion for education.

On July 3, 1971, Mary Ellen married the love of her life, James “Jim” Edward Luensman, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sharon, Pennsylvania. They settled in Germantown, Maryland where they worked and raised their children Karen, Elizabeth, and Christopher. The Luensmans were dedicated members of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Mary Ellen, being a woman of profound faith, gave voice to the glory of God as a member of their choir, served as a Eucharistic Minister, and volunteered transcribing sacramental documents. Mary Ellen and Jim built a beautiful family filled with shared adventures, a flurry of sports, card games, family vacations, and holiday traditions.

Mary Ellen had many interests, including gardening, calligraphy, crafting and cooking. Her generous love was poured into every dish she made for family, her many life-long friends, colleagues, and of course, the parent volunteers. She worked from memory and a seemingly endless recipe collection she cultivated for more than half a century. And Mary Ellen’s commitment to scholarship was not confined to the classroom, as even the Washington Post benefited from her tutelage, her beautiful penmanship, her meticulous grammar, and that red “teacher” pen. She was also a dedicated world traveler alongside her husband and children. They experienced and enjoyed the vast cultural and natural beauty of four continents in their travels.

Upon retiring to Jacksonville, Florida, Mary Ellen continued to celebrate her devotion to God and her Catholic faith. As an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, she lent her magnificent alto voice to the choir and participated in bible study, perpetually learning. Florida offered the Luensman family wonderful family beach days and boating on the St. Johns River. Never one to shy away from a new challenge, Mary Ellen earned her boating license at age 68.

What a beautiful and full life Mary Ellen led, one filled with preternatural faith, a breadth of experiences, and fulfillment in family, love, and purpose. In a lifetime of devotion, countless times she lifted her reverent, prayerful voice to the Heavens where she now rests. Mary Ellen will be remembered for her faith, wit, and an unwavering love for her family, friends and community. Her legacy will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew her.

Mary Ellen is survived by her loving and dedicated husband, James Edward Luensman; her children: daughter Karen Elaine Burnham, son-in-law Keith D. Burnham, daughter Elizabeth Ann Luensman Sandoval, son-in-law Jorge Antonio Sandoval Dextre, son Christopher Shawn Luensman, daughter-in-law Maureen Cron Luensman; and her cherished grandchildren: Caspian Luensman Sandoval, Cooper Joseph Luensman, and Brady Christopher Luensman. She is also survived by her brother, James Edward Feeney, sister-in-law Joan Feeney nee Kavanagh; and her sister Sally Nemetz. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Paul Feeney and Ellen Elizabeth Feeney and her brother-in-law William Leonard Nemetz.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Baptist Health, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Brooks Rehabilitation (Bartram Facility and Custom Care), and Community Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation for their exceptional care and support.

A Celebration of Life Visitation is planned from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Friday January 17th, 2025, at the Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home and a funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church 10:00 am Saturday January 18th, 2025, in her honor. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the American Cancer Society.