Mary Ellen Patton CAMPBELL passed away of natural causes at the age of eighty-five on July 26, 2022 at Lancaster General Hospital.
Mary Ellen was born October 28, 1936 to Morton and Isobel Patton in Brockville, Ontario, Canada. Mary Ellen is survived by her son, Roger L. Campbell, Kill Devil Hills, NC, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Mary Ellen was predeceased by her other two children, Nancy L. Kratzer, Lancaster, PA and Alan B. Campbell, Reading, PA.
Mary Ellen came to the United States from Canada in 1965. She came with her Registered Nurse (RN) certification, but opted for the role as a stay-at-home mom for her three children. She was an active PTA member, Brownie and Boy Scout Den Mother and, of course, a hockey Mom. Although she was broken of the use of the Canadian “EH” she did pass several of the Canadian colloquialisms on to her kids; a napkin was never a napkin, but a serviette, a rubber band was an elastic and the addition of extra vowels in words such as favourite and colour.
In 1979, she made Lancaster her home. Mary Ellen spent her free time volunteering at the Lancaster Walking Tour, the Fulton Theater and the Coterie Club. In 1988, she founded and was the sole proprietor of Baskets of Central Market, a business in the heart of downtown Lancaster. Her pleasant demeanor and ability to strike up a conversation with anyone allowed her to get acquainted with all of Market’s interesting customers.
Mary Ellen was an avid tennis player and played well into her 70s. After retiring from tennis, she managed the senior team at East Hempfield Tennis Club for several more years.
A card game enthusiast, she participated on several teams playing Bridge and Euchre (a card game she brought with her from Canada) on a weekly basis. Covid-19 didn’t even stop her, transitioning to online with friends and teammates.
She was known for her generosity, her endless energy, her awesome cooking skills and someone who entertained frequently. She loved to spend time working in gardens and her yard was always beautifully landscaped with colourful flowers. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
Roger, I am so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful person to have crossed my path! I met Mary Ellen through tennis. What a friendly, giving person, who enjoyed entertaining in her home. What a great hostess! May the pleasant memories comfort you during this sad time!
Roger, So very sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom. We enjoyed many years with the Coterie group. I often visited her stand in Central Market. A beautiful and kind woman. Her smile was contagious.
Gay Williams
I knew Mary Ellen through her Basket Stand at Market and I still have baskets I bought from her. She always had a friendly greeting and we would often chat about life, tennis, cooking and gardening. When she left Market, I missed those chats and still think of her when I walk by the stand.
Sincerely,
Chris
Mary Ellen was one of those people who truly knew how to be a friend to so many others. She gave unselfishly of her time to be in the company of others and to share her hostess par excellence skills at her home in Country Place with so many of us over the years. She was a natural at entertaining and always creative in her home decor and in her food creations.
Mary Ellen bore her numerous physical afflictions with equal dignity and grace and chose instead to focus on others.
May she now Rest In Peace,
Gloria & Paul
I enjoyed having Mary Ellen as a wonderful friend. We both lived at Country Place. I have many wonderful memories. We did so much together especially loved the trip along the east coast. I send my best to your family.
Mary Ellen will be dearly missed. She was a good friend who was always there for you when you needed it the most. She had brought me dinner the week she found out she had heart failure. The news hit me in the chest. I was scared and prayed for her from then on. We couldn’t lose her, she was the one to always be the coordinator of fun times, the loving care for each of us, and just there when we needed a friend. MaryEllen will always be in our hearts and memories. u
Mary Ellen was a very special & sincere lady & friend. I enjoyed many parties at her home with tennis friends over the years. She will be greatly missed!!