Mary Ellen Vivian Shipley

Mary Ellen was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1947 to James and Dorothy Boland. At an early age Mary Ellen’s family moved to Los Angeles, California, where she grew up. Mary Ellen was a boarder and student at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy during High School, and she went on to take a B.A. degree at Cal State Northridge.

Mary Ellen became a Legal Secretary in Los Angeles, which is how she met her future husband, Mark Tolbert Shipley. Mary Ellen and Mark were married in Kauai, Hawaii in 1978.

Over the years, Mark’s legal practice shifted geographically and as a consequence Mary Ellen had the opportunity to live in Pasadena, California, Denver, Colorado and ultimately, Las Vegas, Nevada. Mary Ellen was known for creating well-decorated homes in these cities which were characterized by her signature style of “simple, but elegant”.

Throughout her life Mary Ellen made friends easily and was a source of joy to her family and all who came to know her. She is survived by her husband Mark and her favorite teddy bears.

A memorial mass for Mary Ellen will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Church in Summerlin, Las Vegas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Little Sisters of the Poor at Sacred Heart Home in Denver, Colorado.