Mary Ellen Tormey's Obituary
Mary E. Tormey, 92
August 2, 1923 - December 21, 2015
Mary E. Tormey: a nun, teacher, career woman, wife and homemaker, a mom, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Born August 2, 1923, in Washington, D.C., the first child of Martha and William Scarry would soon move to Erie, PA. Growing up in a Catholic family, Mary loved school and especially the Benedictine Sisters. Their devotion inspired her to join the order as a Catholic nun. Her love of teaching children, especially a class of 50 boys, eventually led to her decision to leave the order and a begin a family. She met a dashing World War II vet, Robert DePaul Tormey, while he was delivering sports news to the Erie Times. They married and after having two kids, headed to California to begin Bob’s career with General Motors. In a small ranch home in Downey, CA, they raised their eight kids with Mary somehow finding time to cook complete dinners from scratch every night, clean the house, do the laundry for seven boys and one girl, never miss sending packed lunches to school for all the kids, and still participate in church and school events. What an extraordinary time consuming juggling act. Like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, “She did everything he did, just did it backwards and in high heels.” With her children off in college and starting families of their own, Bob and Mary moved to Escondido, CA in 1982. When her husband became critically ill, Mary needed to learn to drive, so she got her first driver’s license at age 60. That same year she got her ears pierced for the first time. The ensuing years brought many large family gatherings, including with her brother’s children, where her love of family continues to inspire us. Mary’s secret to a long and happy life was simple: Red wine and dark chocolate - It’s good for your heart.
Mary Ellen one caring, compassionate, determined and courageous, hard working get the job done, generous, religious, fun loving, inspiring, unconditional loving, and strong-willed mom, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. THE role model for a new generation of Moms.
In her last hours, Mary had only one concern, that her eight children, Bob, Kathy, Tom, Bill, Don, Dick, Dennis and Tim, 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren were all safe and sound. She had a very strong and abiding love of family that was deeply rooted and reflected in a poem she wrote as a student decades ago: “In a tiny corner of heaven, one all pink and white and blue, and the gold and silver lining from the gold dust God made you.” Now that tiny corner of heaven has a very special Mom that continues to watch over us.
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?
