
She was born May 7, 1925, to Charles & Ann Bentley in Belen, NM. She grew up in Albuquerque, Gallup & on the Navajo Indian Reservation where her father worked for the Irrigation Service constructing dams on the reservation. Many of her favorite childhood memories were of her time in the Window Rock/Gallup area. She graduated from 8th grade at Window Rock, then attended Wasatch Academy for 1 year. After graduating from Gallup High School, she was scheduled to go to State (now NMSU), but changed schools overnight due to asthma flare-ups when she would visit her grandparents in Organ, NM, near Las Cruces. She boarded a train for Silver City where she attended and graduated from New Mexico State Teacher’s College (now WNMU) with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. While a student there, one of her student jobs at Ritch Hall was counting pillowcases & sheets to get them ready for laundry pickup. One time she had forgotten, so when she hurried down to do the job, she met the love of her life, Randall, a handsome laundryman. They were married 68½ yrs. at the time of his passing. Mary Ellen, was a member of First United Methodist Church, enjoyed crafts and card making, had an exceptional memory & could be feisty when necessary. She tried her best to beat Covid-19, but it was time for her to join her husband, parents & infant daughter. Mary Ellen is survived by her sister, Eva Ann Witcher (Leonard), 4 children: Grant Gose (Lora), Charles Gose (Cheryl), Leanne Ormand (Matt), and Ranelle Gose; 12 grandchildren: Jonathan Ormand (Michelle), Ashlee Inman, Destree’ Houston (Corey), Jerad Gose (Lauren), Rebekah Ormand, Auhdra Houston (Kyle), Magan Romig (Derek), James Gose, Britanny DeMent (Matt), Philip Ormand (Katie), April Aguilar (Jose), and Kohdy Pierce (Tiffany); 20 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and her cockatiel, Pearl. She was preceded in death by her stillborn daughter, her parents, and her husband, Randall.
No services will be held at this time due to Covid-19 restrictions.
She will be cremated and her ashes combined with her husband’s and interred at Ft. Bayard National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church, 314 W. College Ave., Silver City, NM 88061.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory.