MARY ELLEN (McCONNELL) OLIVIA

Mary Ellen Olivia, 82, of Solvay, passed away Thursday at home surrounded by her loving and devoted children. Mary Ellen was born in Syracuse on September 18, 1940, the daughter of the late Timothy McConnell and Mae (Collins) McConnell and was a graduate of Syracuse Central High School. She pursued her life-long dream of nursing when her children were in high school. In 1985, Mary Ellen graduated from Central Tech Nursing School and cared for others in their homes as an LPN. Mary Ellen dedicated her life to her husband and children and was instrumental in supporting her husband’s electrical company and her children’s goals and dreams. Mary Ellen embodied compassion, gentleness, grace, love, and was known for her quick-witted humor. She enjoyed short trips to NYC to see Broadway plays, traveling to Georgia and time spent with her granddaughters. Mary Ellen had a love of history and Ireland and would often refer to herself as a “Royal Watcher.” Mary Ellen, loved dearly by her granddaughters and many nieces and nephews, was affectionately called Nana and Aunt Mye. She was a communicant of St. Marianne Cope Parish-St. Cecilia Church. She was predeceased by her husband, Peter “Bud” Olivia and her parents and brother, Barry E. McConnell, sisters-in-law Margaret McConnell, Ann Marie Paladino, Lorraine Lavine, and Margaret Morrisette and brothers-in-law, Anthony Paladino, Sanford Lavine, Denis Huppmann, and Patrick Olivia Jr. Mary Ellen is survived by her two daughters, Elizabeth, of North Syracuse and Deborah, of Suwanee, GA, two sons, Peter, of Marcellus and Daniel (Meaghan), of Onondaga Hill; her granddaughters, Grace, Clare, Emma, and Sarah; a sister, Sally Block and a brother, Timothy McConnell, a cousin, George Tackley, a sister-in-law, Carol Huppmann and brothers-in-law, Lawrence (Mary) Olivia and Clarence Morrisette, and many nieces and nephews. We would like to thank Zina Chandler, Paula Straughter, and Lareea Chisholm for their unwavering love, care, and above all friendship that they wholeheartedly gave to Mary Ellen over the last several years. Additionally, we would like to thank Dr. Todd Lentz, her primary care physician, for his attentiveness and empathy shown to Mary Ellen and Dr. William Berkery, her cardiologist, for his compassionate care and friendship over the years. Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Monday March 20th at BAGOZZI TWINS FUNERAL HOME, 2601 Milton Ave, Solvay. Funeral services will be held 9:15 AM Tuesday March 21st at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 AM Tuesday March 21st at Holy Family Church, 127 Chapel Dr. Syracuse. Burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery, Syracuse. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to Holy Family School, 130 Chapel Dr. Syracuse, NY 13219 or Bishop Ludden Junior Senior High School, 815 Fay Rd. Syracuse, NY 13219. Please share online tributes at www.bagozzitwins.com.

MARY ELLEN (McCONNELL) OLIVIA

September 18, 1940 - March 16, 2023