Mary (Longen) Ellis

Mary Longen Ellis, devoted mother and grandmother, retired Catholic school teacher and long-time resident of Springfield, Delaware County and St. Francis of Assisi Parish, passed away in Bryn Mawr Hospital on Friday, February 6, 2026. She was 99 years old. 

Mary was born on October 5, 1926, the daughter of the late Edward J. and Mary Longen, of Aldan, PA. She was an only child. Mary graduated from Immaculata College in 1948, and worked for several years as a social worker in Philadelphia. She married Emil J. (“Jake”) Ellis on August 19, 1950, and they raised four children in Springfield: Ed (Susan), Joe (Mary), Mary, and Michael. All graduated from St. Francis. Jake Ellis passed away in 2018. Mary Ellis is survived by her four children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 

In the early 1970s, Mary returned to work as a teacher at Notre Dame High School in Moylan, PA, her alma mater. She taught at Notre Dame for about ten years, when the Archdiocese of Philadelphia closed the school and transferred her to Cardinal O’Hara, where she taught for another ten years. Her principal subject was English, and she prided herself on her high standards in the classroom. She influenced hundreds of Delaware County students during her time in the Catholic Schools. 

Mary was of Irish descent, and she enjoyed Irish music and dancing, two trips to Ireland, and tall tales told by Irishmen. As one of her Irish grandchildren has said, “She possessed a ruthless wit, a sharp tongue, and many opinions, which she shared as freely as she shared her affection.”

After retirement she was active in knitting circles, the Springfield Garden Club, and the Quilting Guild. She shared her beautifully handcrafted scarves, blankets, sweaters and quilts with her children and grandchildren. She was active in the American Association of University Women, and she was a member of the American Civil Liberties Union. 

Relatives and friends are invited to her Viewing Thursday, February 12, 2026 9:30am St. Francis Church, 136 Saxer Ave. Springfield, PA 19064 and to her Funeral Mass Thursday 10:30am in the Church. Burial Friday February 13, 2026 11am SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery.

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