Mary Ellen Rountree Gussler

Mary Ellen Gussler born July 5th, 1922 passed away Wednesday, February 19th, peacefully in her sleep. She was 91 years old. Mary Ellen was a member of one of the many founding families of the Safety Harbor/Clearwater area. Born at home to John Edward and Allie Rountree, she was the youngest of five children. She is pre

deceased by her siblings, Hurley, Lucille, Elizabeth and John. She was a 1940 graduate of Clearwater High School.

Mary Ellen Rountree married Stayton Eugene Ely and started her family. She has three surviving children. Barbara Staggs, of Cookeville, TN, Jeannette Grizzell of Clearwater, FL and Harry Ely of Cherry Hill, NJ.

Mary Ellen was widowed in 1958 and raised her three children here in Clearwater. As a mother she went above and beyond. She sewed for them, cooked and kept her home well while working in Accounts Payable at the Pinellas County School Board. She drove to ballet lessons, football practice and clarinet lessons. She was there for every ballet recital, band concert and football game. She planned family summer vacations, often visiting family in Maryland, and Texas. She baked Christmas cookies, helped create Halloween Costumes, and filled Easter Baskets with her children, establishing traditions that are fondly remembered by them.

Just before retiring she married Harry Brown and enjoyed a brief marriage with him, losing him to soon after their union. She remarried Vernon Gussler and had many years with him, enjoying golf, bowling and crafting. She watched over and cared for Vernon when he developed Alzheimers. They live at Top of The World in Clearwater.

Not long after losing Vernon, Mary developed Alzheimers as well. She moved into Beckett Lake Assisted Living for many years until being moved to Arden Gardens in Palm Harbor, where she passed away due to advanced Alzheimers Disease.

Mary Ellen is also survived by nine grandchildren, Kenneth Fresh and(Angela), Sparta, TN, April and ( Mike) Mabrey, Cookeville, TN, Heather and(Kevin)Montgomery, Cookeville ,TN. Starr Grizzell Roberts and (Beau) of Clearwater, FL, Rachel Williams and(Jason) of Clearwater, FL. Brianne, Stayton, Allie and Liam Ely of Cherry Hill, NJ. Ten great grandchildren, Caleb and Jacob Fresh of Sparta, TN, Joshua and William Mabrey of Cookeville, TN, Landon, Weston and Easton Montgomery of Cookeville, TN. Brittney Williams of Clearwater, FL and Amelia and Maggie Roberts of Clearwater, FL.

Mary Ellen was a strong person who lived a long and fruitful life and she will be sorely missed by all of her family. Her life's journey here on earth has finished, her battle with Alzheimer's is won. She took her last breath of earthly air and her first breath of eternal air. We are sad, but joyful that she is finally well and with her family in heaven.

Services will be held Tuesday, February 25th at Moss Feaster Funeral Home, 693 South Belcher Road, Clearwater, FL 33764 Visitation 10 am followed by a Service at 11 am.