Mary Ellen Sosa

Mary Ellen Burke Sosa, 65, of Rumford and Chatham MA, passed peacefully from this earth surrounded by loved ones on March 27, 2022 at Rhode Island Hospital. She was the caring daughter of Michaela R. Burke of Rumford and Chatham and the late Elmer A. Burke. She was the loving mother of Delia M. Sosa; doting aunt to Allie and AJ Johnston, Annie and James Kinsey, Nat and Caroline Connors, Terry Burke, Olivia Burke, Emma Burke, Madison Burke, and Michael Burke; and great-aunt to Willow, Winter, Caleb, Kellan, Teddy, and Ada. She is survived by siblings Paul and Jeannie Burke, Michaela Burke Barry, Robert and Annie Burke, and Rosie Connors and Bernie Boudreau. Mary Ellen worked for 38 years as a nurse at Women and Infants’ Hospital, first in labor and delivery, then as a clinical nurse specialist in the Diabetes in Pregnancy Program in the department of Maternal Fetal Medicine. She also worked for 6 years in the Emergency Department at Rhode Island Hospital and per diem in labor and delivery at Kent County Hospital and South County Hospital. Mary Ellen was also faculty at Brown University School of Medicine and was known nationally for her presentations and publications on high-risk pregnancy. She graduated from St. Mary Academy - Bay View as a proud member of the Class of 1974 and went on to earn her BSN from Rhode Island College and MS in Perinatal Nursing from Boston University. Mary Ellen was well known for her strong-headed nature, zest for life, avid membership at the Newman Y, and her unwavering faith in God. She loved riding her bike, band concerts in Chatham, spending time on Cape Cod, hats that fit her “big Irish head”, exploring her Irish heritage (especially music and history), reading, being the family historian, and good bread and cheese. She had a heart of gold, and she is very missed by all who were fortunate enough to know and love her.

Funeral service will be private due to COVID-19 pandemic. In lieu of flowers, donations to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, an organization near and dear to Mary Ellen’s heart, would be much appreciated.