MaryEllen O'Dwyer

MaryEllen (nee Kelley) O’Dwyer, age 91, passed away on March 1, 2024. Formerly of Wayne, PA, she spent her final years in Memory Care at Barclay Friends, West Chester, PA. MaryEllen was born in Wisconsin where she, and her beloved older brother Jimmy, spent many happy hours in the fields and woods surrounding the home built by their parents. As a child, she moved to Cleveland, Ohio, attended The Beaumont School and then Marquette University. After her marriage to Thomas L. O’Dwyer, the family moved to Berwyn, Pennsylvania. Her early life revolved around raising her 4 children. Later in life, she became interested in antiques, opening her own shop in Paoli, PA. After her divorce, she became a teller at Commerce Bank and her flair for customer service resulted in her promotion to Bank Manager.

In retirement, she enjoyed the many trips she took with her companion, Jack Morrissey. She even picked up her bowling ball again, joining a women’s league at the Devon Lanes.

MaryEllen loved beauty in all forms, whether it was a piece of fine porcelain, a captivating painting, a gorgeous garden, a compelling musical composition or a delicious meal. She was the ultimate baby lover and her grandchildren and great grandchildren gave her great joy. She enjoyed reading the New York Times and seeing the latest movie releases at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute. As a cultivated card shark, she could beat anyone at Gin Rummy.

Ever the optimist, MaryEllen received her dementia diagnosis and promptly ignored it. She lived life on her own terms and her indomitable spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

MaryEllen was the beloved mother of Cathleen Statts (John), Diane O’Connor (Gene), Thomas J. O’Dwyer and Ellen Epps (Alan) and loving grandmother of Matthew Epps, Shaun Epps (Meghan), Katy O’Dwyer (Frank), Joseph O’Connor (Mahantesh), Gregory Epps (Karen), James Statts (Meggie), Laura Statts and 6 great grandchildren; Henry, Liam, Emily, Finnegan, Ella and Allison.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Visitation 9:30-10:30 AM on Friday March 8, 2024 at St. Katharine of Siena Church, 104 S. Aberdeen Ave, Wayne, PA 19087, followed by her Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM. Interment at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA.

A livestream link to MaryEllen’s Funeral Mass can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@st.katharineofsienawayne3185/streams

A special thank you to all the members of the staff of Barclay Friends and Holisticare Hospice who cared so compassionately for our mother.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in MaryEllen’s name to Barclay Friends would be appreciated, online at www.bf.kendal.org or mailed to 700 North Franklin Street, West Chester, PA 19380.