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Mary Ellen Curtis

HANCOCK — While enveloped in the loving prayers and words of loved ones, and with family by her side, Mary Ellen Curtis, 76, a resident of Hancock passed away in her home early on the morning of January 11, 2021.

Mary was born in Ishpeming, on November 26, 1944, along with her twin sister Paulette, to her parents Paul and Mary Maloney (Simmons). Shortly after, their family grew to include her sister Katherine and brother Daniel. After the early passing of both of their parents, Mary and her sisters were raised by their grandparents and their uncle, Father John (Jack) Maloney in Houghton. Mary was a graduate of Houghton High School and attended Suomi College for business and secretarial studies. Mary took an opportunity to serve as a secretary to a member of congress. During this time, she had the pleasure of representing her state as Miss Michigan in the National Cherry Blossom Festival of Washington DC.

Mary returned to Houghton where she met and married Max O. Curtis in 1965 and they rapidly formed their family having three children; Todd, Tracy and Tim the Minnesota Street trio who ensured they remained busy at all times. Twenty-five years later, they were pleasantly surprised with their next two children, a beautiful set of twins; Tyler and Trevor. Mary always said that the second round of kids “kept her young.”

Mary was a lifelong member of the catholic church, spent many years working for Houghton National Bank, avidly cheered on the Michigan State University Spartan basketball team and carried that same enthusiasm over to all of her children’s events from football, hockey and baseball games to concerts and plays. She found delight and laughter in the presence of her dear friends, loved girls’ trips with her sisters, daughter and niece, and took pride in the family house and garden that she and Max built together.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Max Curtis, parents Paul and Mary Maloney (Simmons), Father John Maloney, brother Daniel Maloney, sister Katherine Maloney and twin sister Paulette Maloney. Mary is survived by her children Todd, Teresa, Timothy (Aimee), Tyler and Trevor her nine grandchildren Shannon, Shane, Shawn, Shad, Curtis, Riley, Max, Jack and Isabel. She is also survived by Paulette’s children Warren, Elizabeth, Brian, Daniel and Erin and her brother’s three children, Joe, Matthew and Mike along with numerous cousins and extended family.

A funeral mass will be scheduled at the Church of the Resurrection sometime later this year.

To send condolences to Mary’s family, please visit memorialchapel.com.

In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial mass, a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the American Cancer Society.

The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral homes of Hancock have been assisting the family with the arrangements.