Lancaster/Marlborough – Mary Ellen (Pomphrey) Peloquin, of Lancaster, formerly of Marlborough, passed peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on the evening of Thursday, December 02, 2021.
Known affectionately to her family as “Mary, Mel, Meme” Mary Ellen grew up in Marlborough. She was the daughter of William and Alice (Wiles) Pomphrey. She was predeceased by siblings Barbara, Jack, Thomas, Jeanne, William, and is survived by her sister Marjorie.
Mary Ellen attended the Immaculate Conception Catholic Grammar school, and graduated from Marlborough High School, Class of 1950, where she excelled at cheerleading and basketball, and was the first female recipient of the Babe Ruth Award. During freshman year, she met the love of her life, fellow freshman Alfred Peloquin.
After graduating from high school, Mary Ellen attended Suffolk University where she developed her love of poetry and writing. She began her professional career at New England Telephone Company. Mary Ellen and Fred married in 1955 and raised their children in Marlborough. She later worked as an inventory controller at Digital Equipment Corporation for many years before retiring.
Mary Ellen was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish in Marlborough where she taught CCD and served as President of the Lady’s Guild. She was an officer of the Ace of Clubs and a longtime Girl Scout troop leader where she founded THE DAISY, a regional Girl Scout newsletter. As a mother, she followed her children through hockey, 4H, soccer, and instilled in her children her love of all animals.
She and Fred enjoyed endless summers on the beach in Kennebunkport, Maine. Throughout her life, Mary Ellen was a skilled cribbage player competing with Fred nightly for a dollar wager and bragging rights. Her daily ritual began with the crossword puzzle, followed by bird watching, discussing news of her family, and tending to her beautiful gardens as an active member of the Lancaster Garden Club, having moved to Lancaster in 2001.
Her family always said she made the best beef stew, meatloaf, Italian cookies, Christmas fudge, and legendary WHOOPIE PIES. She could be ready at a moment’s notice for road trips, thrift shopping, church fairs, yard sales and flea markets. Mary Ellen loved seasonal decorating with her carolers, slinging a paintbrush, and writing lengthy letters to friends and loved ones by postal mail. Inseparable, Mary and Fred shared the luxury of 66 years of marriage. She knew she had the best husband and friend in Fred. She cherished nightly conversations with her sister-in-law Jeannette. Above all, she was a proud matriarch of her family, a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend.
Mary Ellen is survived by her beloved husband Alfred Peloquin; her four children and spouses, William Peloquin & Sharon of Sudbury, MA; Terry Sadler & Alan of Sterling, MA; Mary Ann Tunnera & Joseph of Marlborough, MA; and Catherine Sadler & Dennis of Lancaster, MA; grandchildren, Zachary, Hill, Layne, Erin, Joseph, Jared, Aubrey and Jack; great grandchildren, Remy & Florence.
Funeral service and burial in Massachusetts Veterans’ Cemetery in Winchendon, MA will be held privately. A celebration of Mary Ellen’s life will be held at a later date in Kennebunkport, Maine.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mary Ellen Peloquin can be made to: The Animal Welfare Society, PO BOX 43, West Kennebunk, ME 04094.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Philbin-Comeau Funeral home in Clinton, MA www.philbincomeaufh.com.
