Mary Ellen Hood

Mary Ellen Hood, 80, of Springfield, died on, Good Friday, April 10, 2009 at the home of her daughter and son-in law, with the wonderful assistance of St. John's Hospital, Home Health Hospice Care. Mary Ellen was born on January 14, 1929, the daughter of Walter and Margaret Minick, in Decatur, Illinois. She married Eugene Wilson Hood in Springfield, on November 25, 1950. He preceded her in death on March 21, 2000. Mary Ellen worked for the Department of Crippled Children and the Illinois State Police Administrative Office, where she met her husband of 49 years. She also worked for St. John's Hospital Inpatient Hospice Unit for 15 years, retiring in 2000. Mary Ellen also volunteered at the Care Center, which was developed in 1978 by clergy, physicians and concerned laity, to aid teenage and at risk pregnant women in their prenatal care, education and counseling. Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved brother, Richard (Dick) Minick. She is survived by her children; one son: David Eugene Hood (wife, Christy) of Rochester, Illinois; two daughters: Christi Edwards (husband, John) of Henderson, Kentucky and Nancy Hood (husband and Mary Ellen's caregiver, Tom Pranger) of Springfield. Also surviving are 9 grandchildren: Emma and Claire Hood, Tyler Moffett; John Christian and Aaron Edwards; Aaron, Michael (wife Leigh), Jennifer (husband Michael Block) and Ryan Mazrim, and 3 great -grandchildren: Lilyan and Jenna Block and Claire Mazrim Smith. She is also survived by sister-in-law: Doris Howard of Cutler, one nephew: Michael Koch of Yarba Linda, California, and one niece: Patricia Minick of Springfield, Illinois. Mary Ellen loved her Catholic faith and lived prayerfully everyday of her life. She loved her home and enjoyed doing yard work and working with her roses at her home on Blackhawk Ave. Her work on the Hospice Unit at St. John's Hospital exemplified her spirituality and prayerful service to the sick and dying. She loved her family, friends and neighbors and particularly her young grand-daughters! Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2009 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2119 N 20th St, Springfield with the Rev. Mark Schulte, celebrant. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: WEUC 88.7 FM Catholic Radio, 320 S. Church St., Morganfield, KY 42437, or St. John's Hospital Hospice Unit.