Obituary of Mary Ellen Marsh

Mary Ellen Marsh passed away surrounded by her family on May 16, 2024. She was 77.

She was born in the Bronx in 1946 to John and Nellie (Moriarty) Cushnahan. She grew up the oldest of four children in the South Bronx with her parents, sisters Joanie and Catherine, brother John, and a roving band of Irish and Scottish relatives coming and going, including her cousin John and beloved aunt, Joan.

Mary Ellen started her career at Ted Bates Advertising in New York City in the late 1960s. In 1970, she began her 34-year career as an accountant at American Home Products (later Reckitt-Benckiser), serving as Budget Director for many years before retiring in 2004. It was there that she met the love of her life, her husband Jim, to whom she was married for 44 years.

After living briefly in Winston-Salem, NC and then Morristown, she settled in Mendham in 1982, where she raised her daughter Jennifer and resided for 42 years.

Her family sometimes accused Mary Ellen of working too much, but she loved her career and thrived. At night, she attended Fairleigh Dickinson University and, after her first year, was invited to join Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest undergraduate honor society.

As much as she loved her work, family meant the most to her and gave her the greatest joy. In addition to Jim and Jennifer, she was a second mother to her niece Krystn and nephew Charlie. She developed a special bond helping care for her grand-nephews Charlie and Bennett, who brought more joy and light into her life than they could know. While her niece Meghan and nephews Richard and Rory lived in Florida, she kept close ties and cherished their relationship.
She was sweet, humble, funny, witty, spunky and fierce. She is most remembered, though, for her exceptional compassion, warmth, kindness, generosity, caring, and selflessness. Her heart was enormous. She gave unconditionally (and then gave some more) and never asked for a thing in return. That was just Mary Ellen. She touched so many with her love and generosity, and her impact was immeasurable. She brightened the lives of those lucky enough to know her. She’s been described as “delightful”, which fits her perfectly.

She loved any time spent with family most: celebrating birthdays, graduations, communions, confirmations, holidays, breakfasts with her husband, visits from her daughter, and yearly trips to Florida for Thanksgiving.
Mary Ellen was a beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend. She was a staunch supporter of children’s charities and an avid reader. Later in her life, she found a love for arguing politics, which she did frequently. She was insatiably curious, never met a stain she couldn’t zap, and hated cooking. She was also a breast cancer survivor who faced a tough battle and was able to beat it. She had several other health challenges throughout her life, including a final challenge that was too difficult to overcome. But she met them all with grit and grace. She was small in size but tough as nails.

She is survived by her husband, Jim Marsh; her daughter Jennifer Scully; brother John Cushnahan, sisters Joan Richardson and Catherine Hynes; and brother-in-law Dick Hynes. She is also survived by her many nieces and nephews, whom she adored. When she left this world far too soon, she did it surrounded by love. To say she will be missed would not do it justice.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 24, 2024, from 4-8 pm at the Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Rd., Mendham. Funeral Liturgy Saturday 10:30 am at St. Joseph Church, Mendham. Interment will be private.

 In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital .