Mary Ellen Bray

Mary Ellen Bray, beloved sister, aunt, great-aunt and great-great-aunt, joined her parents in Heaven on September 24, 2013. Mary Ellen was born on July 22, 1927 in Camden, New Jersey to Mary Margaret (nee Nunan) and Albert F. Bray. She attended Camden Catholic High School and went on to graduate in 1949 from Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, TX, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She returned to Camden and enjoyed a successful, 25+ year career at Campbell’s Soup Company. In 1979, she and her mother moved to El Paso, Texas, where she worked at Economy Cash and Carry until she retired in 1991. Family and church were central to Mary Ellen’s full and happy life. She was an active member and officer of the Legion of Mary in New Jersey and attended Mass as often as possible. Upon her retirement, she was a constant presence at daily mass at St Raphael’s Catholic Church in El Paso until her move later to the Monte Vista at Coronado Retirement Community in 2012. Thereafter, she continued to attend daily Mass at Queen of Peace Catholic Church as often as her health allowed and supported many charitable organizations through prayers and offerings until the month of her death. Mary Ellen was a loving daughter and caretaker and helped care for her Father in his last years until his death in El Paso in 1987. She lived with and cared for her Mother at their home until her death in 1999 at age 100. Mary Ellen played an active role in the lives of her three siblings and 14 nieces and nephews, and faithfully attended family weddings, baptisms, reunions and other occasions. She loved to travel and her international destinations included England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Mexico, Italy, Spain and Costa Rica. Mary Ellen was a kind and gentle woman who took a genuine interest in her colleagues, neighbors and friends. And though she only resided at the Monte Vista at Coronado Retirement Community in El Paso for little over a year, she made many friends and impressed both residents and staff with her ready smile and kind demeanor. Mary Ellen is survived by her brother, John Bray (Esther), her sisters, Patricia Matonak (Lawrence) and Damaris Sayce (Don); her 14 nieces and nephews: Steve Sayce, Donna S. Troy (Gino), John Sayce (Clare), Kurt Sayce (Vickie), Karl Sayce (Cindy), Debbie Elliott (John), Nicholas Matonak, Mary King (Jimmy), Ann Marie Matonak, Daniel Matonak, Timothy Matonak, Andrew Matonak, Theresa Matonak and Anthony Matonak. Visitation will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at Sunset Funeral Home, 480 N Resler Drive in El Paso. A funeral mass will take place at Queen of Peace Catholic Church at 1551 Belvidere St on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., followed by a graveside service at Memory Gardens of the Valley Cemetery in Santa Teresa, NM. A reception will follow the graveside service at Monte Vista at Coronado Retirement Community, 1575 Belvidere St. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1551 Belvidere St, El Paso, TX 79912. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West