Mary Ellen McGonigle 1935-2024

Mrs. McGonigle was born Sept. 21, 1935, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Leo James and Ellen Gertrude Ayre Conlin.

Mary Ellen was raised in Girard, where she attended St. Rose Parochial Grade School and was a 1953 graduate of Ursuline High School, Youngstown. She then attended Youngstown College, where she was a drum majorette and met her husband, J. Bradley McGonigle Jr.

Mary Ellen and Brad were married Sept, 21, 1957, at St. Rose Church, Girard, and moved to New Castle, Pa., shortly thereafter, where Brad began his career as a funeral director.

Together, they moved to Sharon, Pa., with their young family in 1964 and started the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and McGonigle Ambulance Service.

Mary Ellen was a member of the Church of Notre Dame in Hermitage and a former longtime member of St. Joseph Church in Sharon and its Ladies Guild. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Sharon Court 507.

Mary Ellen and Brad enjoyed traveling, particularly to Ireland, and driving around the country in their motorhome, especially trips to South Bend, Indiana, to cheer on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. They loved spending their winters in Florida and enjoyed the summer months at Conneaut Lake, Pa.

Mary Ellen was a longtime volunteer with Sharon General Hospital Women’s Auxiliary and past chairwoman of its charity ball. She also volunteered as a driver for Meals on Wheels and at John XXIII Home in Hermitage.

Mary Ellen loved spending time with others, especially while hosting guests at her home, playing mahjong with close friends and gathering monthly for lunch with her high school classmates. She also enjoyed reading, bowling and playing golf.

Mary Ellen was proud of her Irish Heritage and always looked forward to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and its traditions, especially meeting friends for a green eggs and ham breakfast at Quaker Steak and Lube in Sharon.

Surviving are five children, Karen Murphy, and her husband, Kevin of Warren, Kathleen Conley, and her husband, Daniel of Naples, Florida, J. Bradley McGonigle III, and his wife, Sally of Hermitage, Leo Patrick McGonigle, and his wife, Pamela of Conneaut Lake, and Timothy M. McGonigle, and his wife, Christina of Hermitage; 11 grandchildren, Caitlin Vetter, and her husband, Thomas, Patrick Murphy, and his wife, Kalie, Daniel Conley, and his wife, Kristina, Sean Conley, and his wife, Lindsay, Ryan Conley, and his wife, Olivia, Kaylee Conley, J. Bradley McGonigle IV, John McGonigle, Lauren McGonigle, Sarah McGonigle and Caroline McGonigle; and 14 great-grandchildren, Danny, Julian, Mary Claire, Jack, Reese, Sean, Jane, Liam, Charlie, Henry, Tommy, Graham, Brooks and Wells.

She also leaves two sisters-in-law, Anita Conlin of Hermitage and Helen McGonigle of Conneaut Lake; a brother-in-law, Martin McGonigle, and his wife, Kathleen of New Castle; numerous nieces and nephews; and a dear cousin, Mary Rita Carney, and her husband, Tom.

In addition to her parents, Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, J. Bradley McGonigle, on Oct. 17, 2016; a brother, James Conlin; four brothers-in-law, David, Harold, James and Shawn McGonigle; and a sister-in-law, Mary Lou McGonigle.

The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, at the Church of Notre Dame, 2325 Highland Road, Hermitage, with the Rev. Glenn R. Whitman as celebrant.

Entombment will be in St. Rose Mausoleum, Hermitage.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

(special notice)