Mary Ellen Merchant

Mary Ellen Merchant, age 81, passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at Novant Health Prince William Medical Center, Manassas, VA. She was born on February 14, 1935 in Washington, D.C. Mary Ellen spent her early years attending St. Vincent's, Sacred Heart and St. Cecilia's High School in Washington, DC. She then joined the order of the Holy Cross after high school. Illness brought her back home. She met her beloved husband Buddy Merchant while they both sang in the All Saints choir (the original All Saints church in Old Town Manassas). She then began her lifelong dedication to teaching children and mentoring at All Saints School. She continued to pursue her Master’s Degree in Education by attending night school for twenty years plus. She continued her teaching career and ultimately retired while teaching at Chantilly High School. Mary Ellen then continued her love of teaching by developing a mentoring program at All Saints School. She also continued tutoring children at her home privately until last year. Mary Ellen was also a leader of the Senior Care program at All Saints School which provided Seniors of the parish a newsletter and luncheons. In addition, Mary Ellen played a strong role in support of the Medical Missionaries program supported by All Saints. Throughout this time, she was an Oblate of the Benedictine nuns in Linton Hall. Mary Ellen's joyful life was dedicated to children and education and charity work. She would do anything for anyone in need. She will be greatly missed by all in her family and the community. Preceded in death by her parents: Guy and Julia Guiffre; husband: Henry D. Merchant; sister: Helen Bowen and brother in laws: Gordon Bowen and Robert Kardaras. Survivors include her sister: Jeanne Kardaras and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 19, 2016 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas, VA. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, May 20, 2016 at 10:00 AM at All Saints Catholic Church, 9300 Stonewall Road, Manassas, VA with Rev. Robert Cilinski and Rev. Lee Roos officiating. Entombment will follow at Stonewall Memory Gardens, Manassas, VA. Expressions of sympathy may be in form of donations to All Saints Catholic School,9294 Stonewall Road, Manassas, VA 20110 and/or Benedictine Sisters of Virginia, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA 20136. Condolences may be sent to: www.piercefh.com

Mary Ellen Merchant

February 14, 1935 - May 15, 2016