Mary Ellen Carvajal

Mary Ellen (Ramirez) Carvajal, 90, Dallas passed away on October 18, 2021. She was born in Greenville, Texas on July 22, 1931. Mary Ellen graduated from North Dallas High School and received an Associate of Arts degree from Richland College. She was married to Ramon Lopez Carvajal, Jr. on May 28, 1955.

Mary Ellen was primarily a homemaker and taught ESL at Richland College. She was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Church; St. Paul the Apostle Women’s Guild; Legion of Mary; American Needs Fatima; Medical City Dallas Pastoral Care Volunteer (1997-2012). Mary Ellen's hobbies and interests were music, gardening, cooking and baking.

She is survived by daughters Elena Carvajal (Tony Guzman), Anna Carvajal Hall (Marcus Hall), and Laura M. Carvajal. Grandchildren Sophia Carvajal Guzman and Jacob Hall. Mary Ellen's Brother John Ramirez. She is preceded in death by both her parents Marcela and Patricia Ramirez. Siblings Demetrio Garza, Victor Garza, Joe Garza, Harry Garza, Adela Ramirez Gonzales, Mike Ramirez, Crensencio (Chris) Ramirez, Flora Ramirez Spetter, and Epifanio (Pete) Ramirez.

EULOGY

By: Elena Carvajal

Mary Ellen Carvajal was born on July 22,1931 in Greenville, Texas to Marcela and Patricio Ramirez. Hers was a home birth on the farm where they lived. She was born during the “great depression” and was the 9th of 11 children born to Marcela. Marcela had 4 sons from her first marriage and 7 children with Patricio. Mary Ellen was baptized Mary Magdalena as she born on the feast day of this saint – but she had many names. She was Maria Elena, Mary, Mary Ellen and Maria. Mary Ellen’s siblings were: Demetrio, Victor, Joe, Harry, Adela, Mike, Chris, Flora, Epifano and John. All but John have preceded her in death. Mother was especially close to her sisters Adela and Flora.

The early years Mary Ellen learned to sew, bake, babysit and helped with the farm chores. When Mary Ellen was 10 her family had a profitable onion crop and sold it and moved to Dallas. Mary Ellen was a good student and talked about doing her homework/readings while making a tall stack of tortillas. In 1948, she graduated from North Dallas High School – the first of her family to graduate from High School. After high school graduation she worked a Sanger Harris and sang in the Church choir at Our Lady of Guadalupe. Music was always very important to her.

In 1955 Mother married Ramon L. Carvajal an Engineering student at SMU. After his graduation he accepted a position at Texas Instruments and they moved to North Dallas and raised three daughters Elena, Anna and Laura. During those years Mary Ellen was a block worker with the American Cancer Society, Blue Bird and Campfire Girl Leader, PTA volunteer, a member of the Garden Club and a CCD teacher at St. Paul the Apostle. She was always supportive her daughter’s interests which included ballet, horseback riding, ice skating, swim lessons, lots of music lessons. Mary Ellen encouraged her daughters to try new things. She patiently welcomed many pets into the family – ducks, kittens, dogs, horses, turtles, fish and a yellow canary.

In 1978, she became a widow when Ramon died of cancer. She was 47 years old. It was a crushing blow and she missed him greatly. Slowly, she built a new life for herself - she attended Richland Community College and earned her Associates degree with honors. She especially enjoyed Choir and performed twice at the Mort Myerson Symphony hall with the Richland Choir. After graduation she worked at Richland College in the ESL program – helping those with the least knowledge of English.

Mary Ellen volunteered at Medical City as a Pastoral Care volunteer from 1997-2012 – volunteering over 2000 hours over 15 years. The volunteer coordinator recalled “Mary was able to communicate with our non-English speaking patients helping to reduce their fear and anxiety in a calm and gentle manner.” She was a member of America Needs Fatima, White Rose and Legion of Mary.

Mary Ellen had a strong and special bond with her grandchildren Jacob Hall and Sophia Guzman. She was part of every celebration, performance, birthday party and holiday. Even in the depths of her illness, her face would light up with joy when she saw her grandchildren.

The later years were very difficult. As the illness took over Mary Ellen lost her ability to speak but she continued to respond to music. Her Dallas caregivers were Anna, Marc and Jacob Hall and Laura Carvajal. We are also grateful to Silver Creek Assisted Living staff who cared for Mother for many years.

We deeply believe that Mary Ellen’s spirit has gone to its eternal rest in heaven where she has joined those she loved.