Mary Ellen Slisz

Mary Ellen Slisz (Frasher) 7/23/32 - 4/25/23, Fairport

Mary Ellen passed the same way she lived, with dignity, grace and peace in her bed, in her house with the sun shining in the windows surrounded by three of her children.

Mary Ellen grew up in the 19th ward in Rochester where she made many lifelong friendships with ‘the gang’. She graduated from Mercy High School in 1950 and Nazareth college in 1954. After graduating from Nazareth she began her teaching career in LeRoy, then short teaching assignments in Warsaw and Canandaigua, before landing a teaching position at Monroe #1 BOCES in Fairport where she would spend the remainder of her long education career as a teacher and administrator. She was instrumental on the ground floor of the Right to Read program in the Rochester area as well as Special Olympics in the mid 1970’s.

While teaching in LeRoy she joined the Linwood Music School as she enjoyed music and theater. It is here where she met Joe and many dear friendships began. Throughout their married life mom and dad continued their involvement in music with the Genesee Valley Orchestra and Chorus. Mom and dad also enjoyed some great travel adventures both near and far.

The consummate hostess, Mary Ellen hosted many family and holiday get togethers and was always prepared to celebrate your birthday or special occasion with a card, a gift, even a meal. She was always giving to everyone. When you stopped over to say hi she made sure to offer you something to eat, a drink or her favorite sponge candy. The neighbor kids knew exactly where the lollipops were, and there was always the special ‘grandma candy drawer’.

After retirement, in the mid 1990’s, Mary Ellen taught part time at Nazareth College for a few years, enjoyed her weekly bridge games, her early morning exercise, her weekly standing Saturday noon hair appt., and Saturday 4:00 mass.

Mary Ellen was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Joseph, her parents Donald NJ, and Virginia L (Lux) Frasher, a sister, Donna Fuoco and a brother, Thomas E. Frasher.

She is survived by her children, Beth (John) Bolton, Meg (Mike) Milligan, Greg (Mandy), Tim and Peter. She was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 3 great grand children with three more on the way that she was excited about. She is also survived by her sister Sue Witzel of Chili, sister-in-law Lorraine Ludwig of Orchard Park and brother-in-law Rev. Charles E. Slisz of Buffalo.

As a lifelong educator, Mary Ellen donated her body to the Anatomical Gift Program at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, so that students can continue to learn from her.

A special thank you to the staff of the U of R in-home hospice program, especially Stephanie, Jill, Jamie, Elaine and Terry. Your love, compassion and friendship to us all were beyond compare, Thank You.

A celebration of Mary Ellen will be held Friday, June 16 at 11:15 at the Church of the Assumption, 20 East Ave. in Fairport

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Special Olympics, specialolympics.org, Linwood Gardens, 1912 York Rd. West, Pavilion, NY 14525 or the Perinton Food Shelf, Inc., P.O. Box 381, Fairport, NY 14450.

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