Mary Ellen Irwin

Mary Ellen (Ely) Irwin, age 93, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully Friday, February 23rd, 2024, in Oklahoma City. Mary Ellen was born to George and Hetty Ely on May 25th, 1930 in Mattoon, Illinois.

She is remembered as being loving, kind, generous, and encouraging. She has been reunited in heaven with her husband Jim, the love of her life. They were members of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where they both sang in the choir for many years and enjoyed church activities. They enjoyed choral music, dancing to big band music, playing bridge, and hosting a notorious Christmas open house for family and friends.

Mary Ellen was a very sociable person. Her sweet smile and easy conversation made for many lifelong friendships. She loved traveling with friends and family. She enjoyed cooking and was famous for cookies and apple pie. But most of all she treasured time spent with her family… and chocolate!

She worked at Putnam City High School for twenty-five years. Initially a history teacher, and then a guidance counselor becoming head of counseling for Putnam City Schools. She earned her undergraduate degree from UCLA and her master’s degree from UCO.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, James Haskell Irwin, parents George and Hetty Ely, and brothers George ( wife Doris) Ely and Walter Ely.

Mary Ellen is survived by her four children and many wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved her family greatly.

Her children are:

• Her son David Irwin and his wife Nancy and their children David and Megan. He also has daughters Jamie Irwin (and son Kieffer) and Joni Bowles (husband Aaron and children Nora and Andrew).

• Her daughter Susan Irwin.

• Her daughter Janet Peterson and husband Paul, and children Chris Talkington, Katie Hakkas (husband John and children Evan, Mikayla and Emmy), and Michelle Harvey (husband Ryan and children Abraxas and Zyra),

• Her son Jim Irwin and his wife Susie and their children Allison (husband Adam and daughter Addie) and Jimmy and (wife Emily).

The memorial service will be held Friday, March 1st, 2024, at 03:00 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org, in memory of Mary Ellen Irwin.