Mary Ellen Marfia (Grant) was born in Newark, New Jersey on January 4, 1945, and was called to heaven on July 31, 2019. Survived by her daughter, Joanne Garofolo, son-in-law, Nicholas Garofolo, son, Michael Marfia, granddaughter, Taylor Rae Morgan, and step grandchildren, Nicholas and Samantha Garofolo. Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph Marfia and brother Joseph Grant. The family wishes to acknowledge relatives whose lives also impacted hers: cousin, David Franklin, brother-in-law, Tommy Marfia, former son-in-law, Michael Morgan and aunt, Mary Mullen.

Mary Ellen was a soul that touched a lot of lives in her 74 years. A friend to many throughout the stages of her life, she held some close but most at the edge of the bay, selecting to focus her attention on what mattered to her most, her children. Her life rippled like ocean waves, rising to the surface time and time again, shining brightly, counting on her Irish luck, enjoying the simple things, refusing to be sunk, before a tidal wave pulled her out to sea, too far to return to shore. May the road rise up to meet you, and the wind always be at your back, Mary Ellen. May the sun shine warm on your face, and the rains fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again.

A graveside service to celebrate her beautiful spirit was held in Nebraska, her home state since 1996, on Saturday, August 24, 2019 at 1:00 pm at Sunnyside Cemetery in Denton at the intersection of Cass Ave and West 3rd Street, followed by fellowship at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at  7105 Cass Avenue.

A seaside tribute to her life will also be held in her native state in Long Branch, New Jersey, where she graduated high school, on Saturday, October 19, 2019. Details pending.