Mary Ellen Hamerstone

Mary Ellen Hamerstone, 89, of Whitehall, PA, formerly of Holland Township, NJ, passed away on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at the Fellowship Community in Whitehall, PA.

Born September 21, 1931 in Trenton, NJ, Mary Ellen moved to Milford, NJ at the age of 9. She attended Cathedral High School in Trenton from 1945-1947 and graduated from Villa Joseph Marie High School in Newtown, PA in 1949. In 1953, Mary Ellen earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Kindergarten and Primary Education from Trenton State Teacher’s College. In 1956, she earned a Master’s of Arts in Education from Lehigh University. Mary Ellen began her teaching career in 1953 at Frenchtown Elementary School and also taught at public schools in Trenton, Milford, Holland Township, and Riegel Ridge Head Start. She concluded her teaching career at Frenchtown Elementary School from 1969-1988 as a special education and resource room teacher. She was also certified as a Teacher of the Disabled. Mary Ellen enjoyed family vacations to Siesta Key, FL, watching ballet in New York City with her daughter, reading and traveling to many Civil War battlefields with her husband. She was an avid New York Yankees fan. Mary Ellen was former president of the Milford-Frenchtown VFW Post 7857 Ladies Auxiliary. She also served as president of the Frenchtown Education Association from 1975-1977. Post retirement, Mary Ellen volunteered at the Holland Township Library, where she served as president, at one time.

Daughter of the late Bernard J. and Helen (Cole) McNally, Mary Ellen is survived by her daughter Stephanie L. Hamerstone and her companion Nicholas Zangli of Upper Black Eddy, PA, her daughter-in-law Marie A. Hamerstone of Harriman, TN, her brother John “Jack” B. McNally and his wife Jean of Milford, and her grandson Elliot D. Hamerstone, also of TN. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 63 years, Robert H. Hamerstone in 2020 and her son Alan H. Hamerstone in 2010. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

The family will receive relatives and friends for a visitation on Monday, June 21, 2021 from 6-8 PM at the Johnson-Walton Funeral Home, 24 Church Road, Holland Township, NJ. Funeral services will begin on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 10 AM at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM at St. Edward the Confessor R.C. Church, 61 Mill Street, Milford, NJ. Interment will follow at the Riegelsville Union Cemetery in Riegelsville, PA.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Compassionate Care Hospice, payable to Amedisys,
3897 Adler Place. Building C, Suite 180, Bethlehem, PA 18017.

Condolences

From: Lynn Weaver
so sorry for your loss. she was a great teacher, and person.

From: Fran Petiet
Steph, sorry for your loss, your mom was a sweet caring thoughtful woman, hope you have happy memories forever, Fran Petiet

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