Mary Ellen Branch

2023. Born November 5, 1940 in Washington, DC to John and Pearl

Reinhardt, Hyattsville, Maryland. Siblings: John Reinhardt (deceased),

Barbara Martin, Helen Despres, Cathy Schell, and Ricky Reinhardt.

Graduate of Notre Dame Academy High School, 1958. She married Lacy

Branch, Jr, October 21, 1961, St. Jerome’s Catholic Church, Hyattsville,

Maryland. Retired from Washington Gas Light Company, Washington, DC.

Survived by her husband of 61 years, Lacy Branch, Jr., children: Becky

Handa (Ravi Handa), Russell Branch (Lori Branch), Joe Branch (Tom

O’Coin) and Donald Branch, grandchildren: Kyle Branch, Zachery Branch,

Lucas Branch, Bryce Handa and Priya Handa, siblings: Barbara Martin,

Helen Despres, Cathy Schell and Ricky Reinhardt. And numerous friends.

Mary was a loving soul and bright star. Always welcoming those she met.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She took

great pride in her family and enjoyed every chance she had to be together

with them. She enjoyed socializing with her family, friends and friends of

her family.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 11, St. Jerome’s

Catholic Church, 5205 43rd Avenue, Hyattsville, Maryland. Family and

friends will gather at 10:00 a.m., funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. and

a reception immediately following in the Gold Room at St. Jerome’s. All are

welcome.

Private inurnment, Fort Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, Maryland.

For those wishing to send flowers, please send to St. Jerome’s Catholic

Church, Hyattsville, MD. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to St.

Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (http://giftfunds.stjude.org/mebranch).