Obituary of Mary Ellen Horn

Mary Ellen began her next journey with the Lord on April 2, 2019, leaving this world in the embrace of family.  She was born to Elizabeth “Betts” and Joseph “Joe” Grant in 1934 and raised in Little Falls, New Jersey.  Early in life she loved music and theater. She attended St. Josephs Nursing School before marrying her dear “Alby” – putting her gift of music, loving care and patience to work raising 5 rambunctious boys. 

She was a wonderful, kind and very busy Mom, and wife. She helped guide her children and family to a faith and a trust in God through life’s many challenges. Her kindness and deep faith were God’s greatest gift to all of us. Her tireless work on behalf of the mentally ill culminated in the founding of the North Carolina Chapter for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill  (NAMI) in the 1980s.  In life, she found the strength to live on after the loss of 3 of her boys and then her beloved Al. Through it all, she touched many as companion, counselor and confidant - all gifted  through life’s joys and sorrows by her generous love shared equally with all. She helped many through her Catholic faith and her dedicated service on the journey with families in Alanon and 12 step recovery programs.

She lived for the love of her family and friends and especially cherishing all of her grandkids whom she shared wonderful stories of her great escapes - traveling the world with their Poppy Al.  Her smile, her gift of humor and her stories were almost therapeutic. She was an eternal optimist that rose above all difficulties. We will miss her beautiful blue eyes, her endless love, her hugs and her wisdom. Most of all we will miss her kind and gentle spirit, though we are sure she will always be near.

We rejoice in her joyous reunion with those who preceded her in death - her beloved husband Al, her sister Elizabeth, (Bets), sons Bill, Joe and Brian.

She is survived by her 2 sons, James and Michael, as well as her 9 grandchildren: Kristin, Avery, David, Jennifer, James, Sam, Charlie, Maggie and Matthew. We love you Nanny.