Condolence: Dear Pierrette , & family
Our thoughts and sincere love going your way from Robert (Bob ) Leduc and spouse Claudette now living in WELLAND
Allan and you Pierrette we played music together in Timmins my home town

Hugs and Kisses to all .

Condolence: I am completely numb and shocked and devastated! I just can't get my head around this! I have lost my dear good friend, Mary-Ellen. I have known Mary-Ellen most of my life. We took piano lessons from Soeur Maria Courteau together. We also took Harmony and Music History lessons together from Soeur Courteau on Saturday mornings. We also worked together for a few years at Flondra's Gift Gallery. As you know, Mary-Ellen and I were also a team for nearly 15 years playing at weddings, baptisms, funerals, Christmas masses, Easter masses, services at the Golden Manor and church services every Sunday at la Cathédrale Saint-Antoine de Padoue.

We spent many good times together travelling to Toronto to see Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables, going out to dinner, jamming at the piano, having tea or just listening to music and chatting until all hours. I am also so very fortunate and honoured that she sang at my wedding. That is a memory that I shall cherish forever.

Her death comes as a complete shock to me. I literally am shaken to the core. I unfortunately had no idea that she was so ill.

My dear Mary-Ellen was a brilliant talent, a wonderful musician and a great person. I will surely miss her. I am sending my most deepest sympathies to Mrs. Dolighan, her brother Roddy and all the rest of her family and friends.

There was a particular song that Mary-Ellen would love to sing whenever we did a funeral together, "Songs of the Angels". So my dear friend, as you have heard and sung so many times, "May songs of the angels welcome you and guide you along your way. May the smiles of the martyrs greet your own as darkness turns into day." I am sure that you are now singing with God's choir of angels. Rest well my friend and God speed! Job well done. Until we meet again on the other side. You will never be forgotten!

Condolence: Our deepest condolences to you Pierrette, Rod and family. We are very sad for your loss. We will always remember and cherish the time that Mary-Ellen was our neighbour. Rest in peace.

Condolence: DEAR PIERRETTE I AM SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR HEARTBREAK SHE WAS A WONDERFUL GIRL .. HUGS & PRAYERS GOING TO YOU AND THE FAMILY ... YOUR FRIEND PAT XOX

Condolence: Dear Pierrette, Rod and family,

Words cannot express how saddened we are to learn of Mary Ellen's passing.

May the love of those around you, provide comfort in the days ahead.

Condolence: I cried this morning when my mother called me to tell me that Mary-Ellen had passed away. I found out late last week that she was in hospital, gravely ill. I went out last night to purchase a card for her to lift her spirits, a card I won’t be sending now.

I first met Mary-Ellen when we were kids going to St-Antoine school. She arrived when we were maybe in Grade 2 or 3. I remember her as a pretty blonde curly-haired, cherub-faced girl who took piano lessons from Soeur Courteau. She was also a big sister to Rodney who she watched over like a hawk. There was something about her that was very special way back then-she was shy, soft-spoken and so, so very kind.

I knew that she played the piano but I don’t recall when I first heard her sing. But once I did, I never forgot just how talented she was. Her voice was pure and angelic. Now,thinking back, that was Mary-Ellen too.

Once in Grade 6, the class went on an outing but Mary-Ellen wasn’t feeling well so the teacher asked that I stay behind to keep her company. We were assigned the task of cleaning the classroom. I remember asking her to sing for me and sing she did. She sang me her festival songs. I was delighted!

Fast forward years later, I’d often see Mary-Ellen when I attended mass at St-Antoine de Padoue church while visiting family in Timmins. And the shy girl I knew was now a woman who stood alone at the front of the church and led the congregation in song. How lucky were the parishioners of St-Antoine to have such a gifted vocalist!

When my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, we asked Mary-Ellen to sing at the mass. A few days before the event, she came to their house. With music in hand, she proceeded to sing for us songs she thought would be appropriate for the event. It was a memorable evening. And the anniversary mass was made even more memorable because of how beautifully she sang.

When Père Magnan no longer had a church but celebrated mass at the Georgian Residence, Mary-Ellen could once be found, praising God with her most beautiful, beautiful voice in the residence’s chapel.

I’ll miss her but will always remember her for her kindness and her enormous talent. She was most certainly a gifted music teacher as well. I’m sure she’s instilled the love of music to all she taught.

To Mrs. Dolighan, Rodney and family, I offer you my most heartfelt condolences on your great loss. As she praised God on earth with her angelic voice, something tells me that Mary-Ellen is now leading a choir of angels in Heaven.

Condolence: Pierrette, Rod and family,

Please accept my sincerest condolences during this time of immense sorrow; and may God grant Mary Ellen eternal rest.

Love and prayers,

Jim Ogilvie

Condolence: Sending my heartfelt condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time and in the difficult days ahead. Rest In Peace my dearest Sister In-Law, you will always remain in my heart forever. Xoxo...

Condolence: You don't realize when you're young the impact that some people will have on you. Even though it's been a few years since I last saw her, Mary-Ellen is someone I think about fairly often. More than just my voice teacher, she was truly a mentor during formative years (grades 6-13), and was an important part of my support system when my family was dealt some hard blows. I learned so much more from her than the musical knowledge she conveyed. She was calm, patient, thorough and meticulous, and her kindness was unusually genuine. She made you want to work hard and succeed, because she was so invested in your progress. Her positive attitude, strong work ethic and her deep love for music have definitely left their mark on me and her other students, I'm sure. Even though she's no longer with us, at least I know that music and singing will always keep me connected to her. My deepest condolences go out to Mary-Ellen's family and friends.