Amherst, MA – Mary Ellen (Golden) Curtin, 78, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2026 with her loving family by her side. A devoted mother and grandmother, Mary Ellen was born on February 24, 1947 in Yonkers, NY. Growing up in Woodlawn (Bronx, NY), Mary Ellen was the second oldest of 7 children born to Lawrence and Helen Golden. Hers was a lively childhood that provided material for many colorful storytelling sessions. Mary Ellen lived a full and varied life. She was educated at St. Barnabas High School and later College Misericordia in PA, where she received a degree in Home Economics. Her teaching career commenced directly upon graduation and would span 33 years in public schools, including 28 years as the Home Economics/Family and Consumer Science teacher at Amherst Regional High School, where she was honored with the Robert Frost Teaching Chair in 1987. In this capacity, Mary Ellen connected with and impacted countless students in the local community, introducing them to her lively and entertaining personality as she helped them acquire and develop life skills they could draw on well beyond their time in her classroom. Mary Ellen made her home in Granby, MA for 47 years where she raised her beloved daughter Susanne. She enjoyed gardening, reading mysteries, sewing, cooking, visiting with her siblings, socializing, skiing, nights out on the town and long phone calls. In 2008 and 2010, respectively, she welcomed her two grandchildren, Sophie and Henry, who quickly became a prime focus for her devotion. In 2020, Mary Ellen sold her home and moved to Amherst where she could be even closer to her family and find greater companionship at The Arbors at Amherst. These last 5 years were filled with new and old friends, many games of Uno with her grandchildren, afternoon concerts, parties, time spent with dedicated staff, and more. While she bravely navigated a tough cancer diagnosis over the past 2 plus years, Mary Ellen continued to possess her trademark zest for living and drive to positively connect with those around her. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her daughter and son-in-law Susanne and Keith Michel, her grandchildren Sophie and Henry Michel, her siblings Lawrence (Joanne) Golden, Elizabeth (Terrence) Kennedy, Anne (Joseph) Molloy, Martha Golden and Bill Golden, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and cherished friends. Mary Ellen was predeceased in death by her parents Lawrence and Helen Golden and her brother Raymond (Monica) Golden. A funeral mass will be held at Most Holy Redeemer Church in Hadley, MA on April 10, 2026 at 10am. The family thanks Cooley Dickinson VNA and Hospice and The Arbors at Amherst for their compassion and care. Donations can be made in Mary Ellen's memory to Cooley Dickinson VNA and Hospice.
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Mary Ellen Curtin