Mary Ellen Massey Shelton

Mary Ellen Massey-Shelton, 83, passed away on April 3, 2020 at her home, surrounded by her family. Born on April 5, 1936 in Alexandria, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Commodore Bradley (Thomas) Massey and Helen Loretta Clark Massey. Mary Ellen attended St. Mary’s Academy from Kindergarten to 11th grade and then attended Alexandria Business School to become a secretary for Catholic Charities in Alexandria. She later went on to be a Sales Secretary and Sales Coordinator for Holiday Inn, Telegraph Road. She married Ronald J. Shelton in 1957 and they had 1 child, Connie, in September 1964. In 1978, she met her significant other, Richard Rusk, and they were together 34 years before he passed away 2011. Mary Ellen loved the entertainment industry, enjoyed roller skating as a child and teenager and went to the Alexandria Skating rink frequently as one of her favorite past-times. She also loved bowling and had been on several bowling leagues. She had a love for old musical’s, movies, shows, concerts, dancing, parties, socializing, traveling, and living life to its fullest with fun and laughter. She loved her family and friends spending as much time with them as possible. She enjoyed spending time with her friends at Texas Ribs, the Waldorf Elks Lodge, and the Waldorf Moose Lodge. She enjoyed going to Cape St. Mary’s Marina in Mechanicsville where Richard and she had their boat in the early 1990’s. She loved her dogs Nicholas, her Min Pin, and Sabrina, her Bichon and took them on many ventures. Some of her favorite musicians were Elvis Presley and George Jones. Some of her favorite movies were "Gone with the Wind, Meet me in St Louis and the Easter Parade". Mary Ellen felt a need to perform duties that were important to her and gave a purpose. She was a member of several private clubs, and was an avid Catholic. She served as a Lector for St. Peters Catholic Church as well as belonging to the Catholic Daughters of America. She was a member of the Board of Elections and assisted voters with the Primary and General Elections from 1992-2016. She became a Notary for the state of Maryland from 1998-2002. She was a member of the Gaming Review board for Charles County from 2008 – 2011. Her most recent was being a volunteer at the University of Maryland, Charles Regional Medical Center as a Greeter. She started there in 2012 and continued to present. She was truly admired by her family and friends for her feistiness and zest for life despite her health obstacles. Mary Ellen is survived by her daughter Constance (Connie) Lynne Shelton of Waldorf, MD; her sister Helen Elaine Massey-James of Jacksonville, FL; her nephew Robert Thomas James and his wife Melissa of Jacksonville, FL; cousin, Mary Virginia Johnson of Rome, New York Due to the COVID19 restrictions, a private interment will be held at St. Peter’s Church Cemetery and a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date and time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association or the ASPCA.

Mary Ellen Massey Shelton

April 5, 1936 - April 3, 2020