Mary Ellen Morin, 78, of Spokane, Washington passed away surrounded by family on June 18, 2017, after a courageous battle with ALS. 

Mary Ellen was born in 1938 to Tim and Ethel Moynihan of Troy, New York. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from College of New Rochelle and a Master’s Degree in Language Education from the University of New York at Albany. Mary Ellen married Joe Morin of Albany, NY in 1963 and together they raised four children. Mary Ellen and Joe moved several times, living in Wilmington, DE; North East, PA; Kennewick, WA; Kalamazoo, MI; and Springdale, AR; making lifelong friends along the way before settling in Sunnyside, Washington for 27 years.

Education was Mary Ellen’s passion. She was a tireless teacher, mentor, and role model as a mother and during her 17-year career teaching English as a Second Language at Sunnyside High School. Mary Ellen found particular joy in seeing many of her students progress to college and beyond. Mary Ellen was also active in P.E.O. and other service organizations throughout her life.

In 2002, Mary Ellen retired from Sunnyside High School, and she and Joe moved to Spokane, WA to pursue several passions; her favorite among them was being “Nan” to her grandchildren. Nan was the consummate devoted grandmother and she delighted in the many accomplishments of her six grandchildren. In addition to her devotion to family, friends, and service, Mary Ellen relished Gonzaga basketball, Notre Dame football, golf, bridge, and playing mahjong.

Mary Ellen is preceded in death by her parents, and is survived by Joe, her husband of 54 years, children Brian Morin (Jenifer McCain) of North Salt Lake, Utah; Maria Morin of Bellevue, WA; Ellen Nessen (Bryan) of Spokane, WA; Tim Morin (Alicia) of Seattle, WA; and grandchildren Ian, Evan, Quinn, Cooper, Braden and Makayla. Mary Ellen enriched nearly everyone she touched and she will be missed by all who knew her.

Mary Ellen’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the devoted staff at Touchmark Skilled Nursing of Spokane who cared for and about Mary Ellen. We are extremely grateful for their dedication and love.

A rosary will be held at Jesuit House Chapel at Gonzaga University, 1106 N Astor, on Friday June 30th at 7:00 pm. A celebration of Mary Ellen’s life will be held on Saturday July 1st at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The ALS Association, PO Box 37022, Boone, IA 50037-0022 - www.alsa.org

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