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Mary-Ellen Comeau Obituary
1958 - 2023
Salem - Mary-Ellen (Deschenes) Comeau, 65, of Salem, died Sept 11, 2023, peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones after 3 years of living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Born on June 4, 1958, to the late Richard "Dick" and Bernice "Olive" (Mateik) Deschenes, she was known to many as "Mim," a nickname given by niece Lisa when she could not pronounce Mary-Ellen as a toddler.
Mim was devoted to family and friends throughout her life, living for 63 of her 65 years in the family home built by her grandfather over 100 years ago and remodeled by her father 70 years later.
Mim excelled at academics, studying at Ste. Chretienne Academy until it closed, then at Ste. Anne's, before attending the Pingree School where she graduated in 1976 as valedictorian. In her youth, Mim was actively involved in local dance and theater productions and danced with Deane School of Dance in Salem. Her lifelong love of dance led her to Boston Ballet while in high school, where she attended company classes and performed in many Boston Ballet productions of the Nutcracker. Mim majored in biology and minored in chemistry while on the pre-medical track at Salem State College. While in college, she worked part time at Marshalls, where her mother Olive also worked, and 2 more generations went on to work there after. After graduating college Magna Cum Laude in 1980, Mim worked at Beverly Hospital before starting her career at Bishop Fenwick High School in 1981 where she fell in love with teaching, especially physics. Mim brought complex material to life with demonstrations and helped to expand the school's science curriculum. Her work was recognized with the Outstanding Science Educator of the North Shore award in 1986.
Mim understood that learning didn't stop at the classroom door. While she left Fenwick in 1998 with the birth of Olivia "Liv," Mim was always surrounded by groups of curious kids - as a Girl Scout troop leader, on the sidelines of basketball games handing out snacks, as an impromptu ringleader of Liv's friends at the park, and as a physics, math, and SAT tutor independently and with Boston Scholastic.
Mim loved going to Devereux Beach, first as a child with her family and later with her best friend Barbara. She also loved antiquing, gardening, visiting museums, playing tennis, and especially the many family trips to Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, and Bretton Woods.
Mim will be lovingly remembered by so many, including her husband of 38 years, Jim, her little one, Liv (fiancée Maddy Pfaff), sister Karen Hallinan, brother David Deschenes (Pat Stimpson), nieces and nephews Lisa McGoldrick (Jim), Tim Hallinan (Judy), Chris Hallinan (Sue) and Stacie Monagle (Chris), and great-nephews Steve, Jeff, Riley, Kyle, and Noah. She is predeceased by her parents, her brother Richard "Dana" Deschenes, and nephew Jason Deschenes.
Service Information: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Compassionate Care ALS. A celebration of Mim's life will be held at a future date. If you would like to attend, please send a message to [email protected]. We will also be posting updates on legacy.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary-Ellen Comeau
Sponsored by Casper Funeral & Cremation Services.
Ellin Anderson
October 13, 2024
Well, that's Mimi...always a step ahead of the rest of us. She's still very much alive to me: so cheery, so funny, so thoughtful. I remember when she chose what I believe was a Confirmation name, Joelle, and how much consideration she put into this choice. I wish I could show her the two-page essay I wrote in support of my own Catholic Confirmation name. Her love of ballet was infectious, of math...not so much. Hope to dance with you, Mims, in the not-too-distant future. Best wishes from Ellin-Jehanne
Andrea Dunn
September 22, 2023
Dear Jim, Olivia and all or Mim's family, I am so sad reading this. It makes me think of the years our kids grew up together and how we enjoyed each other's company. Mim was a wonderful neighbor. Prayers that you get through this sad time.
Liv Comeau
September 18, 2023
A celebration of Mim's life will be held Sat Sept 23rd from 11-4 at our home in Salem. Please message Liv or Jim if you need the address. Causal dress, light refreshments, self-screen for covid, and bring photos of Mim!
The Hersey Family
September 16, 2023
We are so sorry to hear of Mim´s passing. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Liv and Jim. The girl´s travel basketball days together were the best. It was a pleasure and an honor to have known Mim!
Sending our love - Wayne, Joyce, Kara & Kendall
Priscilla Calnan
September 15, 2023
Mary Ellen and I worked at Marshalls in Swampscott many years ago during high school and college. We were part of a large group of friends/co-workers. I will always have great memories of those years. She was a wonderful person. My condolences to her entire family.
Christina Hurni
September 15, 2023
I am so sorry for your great loss! I was contacted today about Mimi's passing. She was one of my best friends at Pingree and we lost touch because, back in 1976, when we graduated, we didn't have computers and cell phones. She lived her life the way I knew her in HS, full of activity, fun, great at anything she undertook, always smiling.....a truly good soul. I wish I had contacted her again. I'm so sad to know she struggled with ALS and has passed. An unbelievable loss!
Julie [Crowley] Shaw
September 15, 2023
I am so sorry to hear this. We were classmates in high school and she went by "Mimi" back then. She was indeed the best student in our class but had a great sense of humor and was just an all-around good kid. I remember our lunch table with Monsieur LeFlem and many classes together. She never did after school sports with us as her Mom picked her up to go to ballet classes. My condolences to her husband Jim and daughter Liv - you've lost her way too soon.
Lisa Fossa
September 13, 2023
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. May you take comfort knowing that she touched the lives of so many people. I was blessed to be her student for two years and she taught me lessons that go beyond chemistry and physics. She will forever be one of my favorite teachers.
Don Nadeau
September 13, 2023
Jim, I am so sad to hear of your family's loss. Thank you for the lovely stories of her life. I will keep Mim in my thoughts.
Doug Bollen
September 13, 2023
Mim tutored me in biology when we worked together at Marshalls and helped me get thru the course and graduate at Northeastern University. She was such a great friend and we met up again when her daughter played in my Youth basketball league in Salem. She will be missed.
Rei Newman
September 13, 2023
Mary Ellen was my tutor all through out high school. She was not only my tutor but someone I admired and sought comfort in. In addition to helping me through math, physics, and chemistry Mary Ellen gave me life long advice that I will hold close to my heart. Mary Ellen was an amazing woman that will be missed greatly
Cindie Boccia
September 13, 2023
My condolences to you, Liv, your Dad, and the rest of your family. I will never forget her support, dedication, and especially her enthusiasm at all the MCCPS basketball games!
Erika Forbes
September 13, 2023
In loving memory of a wonderful, generous, genuine person. She was a talented and inspiring educator (my physics teacher at Fenwick, 1985-6), and she made abstract concepts fun and fascinating. Most importantly, she showed great kindness and respect toward all. Our thoughts are with her family.
Mark and Marilyn
September 13, 2023
Jim , Marilyn and I are so sorry for your loss.
Mim was a wonderful woman and a fabulous teacher. She
gave us so many happy memories. God Bless .
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