Mary Ellen Grace McEwen

Mary Ellen Grace Keane McEwen, 92, after a protracted and painful illness, which she bore with great patience and resignation to the Divine Will. She was born March 3, 1934, in Boston, Massachusetts, to the late Martin Joseph & Annie Grace (Fitzgerald) Keane,. She died August 14, 2026 in Lake County, Florida. She moved to Lake County in 1990 after living most of her life in Arlington, Massachusetts. She was a resident of Mount Dora, Florida. Mary Ellen carried forward a steady devotion to family, faith, and the quiet beauty found in a life well tended. She originally lived with her family in Dedham, Massachusetts, where she began her formal education at St. Mary’s grammar school in 1940. Later she moved with her family to the Medford Hillside neighborhood of Medford, Massachusetts, where she attended Hobbs Junior High School. Soon after graduating from Hobbs her family moved to her father’s hometown of Arlington, Massachusetts, where she attended Arlington High School. She loved music, while at Arlington High School she was a member of the Girls Glee Club. During this time she would go to the matinees at the Loew's State Theatre in Boston, she was also fond of demolition derby and used to go to the Medford Bowl with friends to watch those types of races. She began her employment career working as a caddy at the Walpole Country Club. Later she worked selling soft serve ice cream at the Thompson Square Theater in Charlestown, Massachusetts; and while a student at Arlington Massachusetts High School she worked on the Ice Cream counter at the Old Mill restaurant in Arlington. In 1952 during the summer, after she graduated from High School, Mary Ellen worked as a waitress at the Hotel Fairview in Gloucester, Massachusetts. While living in Arlington, Mary Ellen began her career in A T & T as a telephone operator in the Arlington phone exchange. She later continued her career working for the telephone system in Baltimore, Maryland. On January 29, 1955 she married her “honey”, Warren “Red” McEwen, at St. Agnes Church, Arlington, Massachusetts. She said that “It was a Beautiful sunny day.” The reception was held at the Hotel Kenmore, Boston, Massachusetts. Mary Ellen was an artist, and her creative spirit remained an enduring part of who she was. She started a small business “New Life Creations” in which she sold labeled “I’m a New Life” labeled onesies. She also shared her bespoke gifts including things like her paintings and sewing, such as when as a member of the quilters guild of Tavares. Her patience, care, and a practiced eye could turn simple pieces into something lasting. She continued doing painting and crafts up till almost the end of her life. Indeed, she won a Blue Ribbon at the 2026 Lake County Fair for her raspberry vinegar. A faithful Roman Catholic, she was baptized on April 7, 1934 at St. Mary’s of The Assumption Church in Dedham, Massachusetts, where she received her first communion in 1941. Over the years she has been a member of numerous Roman Catholic congregations. Especially St. James Church of Arlington Heights where she was a member of the Parish Council and participated in the Catholic Charismatic movement during which period she was Baptized in the Holy Spirit. During this time she experienced one of the highlights of her spiritual journey, when on October 1, 1979, during the Papal Mass on Boston Common she personally received Holy Communion from St. John Paul II. After she moved to Lake County, Florida she became a member of St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church in Eustis, Florida, which she attended in person as long as she was able, and which devotedly provided her with fulfilling her spiritual needs towards the end of her life. Mary Ellen is survived by her son, Warren M. McEwen, Jr., of Mount Dora, FL; her son, Ralph L. (Janell) McEwen of Mount Dora, FL; her daughter, Linda (Dennis) Pillows of Mount Dora, FL; her daughter, Kathleen (Al) Morel of Hudson, MA; her daughter, Cheryl McEwen of Mount Dora, FL; her daughter, Anita (Mike) Snitman of Kensington, MD; her daughter, Theresa (Leo) Schwartz of Silver Springs, MD; her sister, Kathleen A. Driscoll of Arlington, MA; 19 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. She passed peacefully at home surrounded by her family while wearing and holding the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in one hand and her rosary beads in another, while reciting the Prayers of Saint Bridget of Sweden. She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren M. McEwen, Sr.; her son, Joseph McEwen; and her grandson, Joseph McEwen; and her siblings, Milton Keane, Marion Macdonald, Sheila Keane, Grace O’Leary and Martin Keane, Jr. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary of the Lakes, 218 Ocklawaha, Eustis, FL 32726, US, on September 4, 2026, at 1:00 pm. Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis, FL.