Mary Ellen Addams
June 6, 1930 ~ November 1, 2022
Mary Ellen Addams died November 1st, 2022. She was born in Vermont June 6, 1930 to Jean and Harold Waugh. She grew up in Dorchester, Massachusetts. After graduating from high school in 1948, Mary Ellen attended Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, affiliated with the Dartmouth School of Medicine, in Hanover, New Hampshire. She began work at Nantucket Cottage Hospital after graduating in 1952. While working on Nantucket, she met John Addams. Seven weeks later, they were married at the First Congregational Church on Nantucket.
In 1953, when John joined the Navy, Mary Ellen took on the most difficult job in the Navy, that of a Navy Wife. Supporting John throughout his 38-year Navy career, Mary Ellen traveled the country with their family to many various duty stations, including tours of duty on both the East and West Coasts, Hawaii and the Middle East.
After John’s retirement from the Navy, they remained in Northern Virginia. John and Mary Ellen enjoyed travel, visiting friends and family, annual visits to Nantucket and attending weekly services at National Presbyterian Church. Mary Ellen especially enjoyed her position as matriarch of the Addams clan.
John and Mary Ellen were blessed with two sons, Tom and Peter, their wives Barbara and Karen, and grandchildren Timothy, Caitlin, Neftaly, Mary Anne, and Caroline. Mary Ellen was pre-deceased by her husband of 67 years, her sister Frances and beloved granddaughter, Mary Anne. After John’s passing, Mary Ellen enjoyed participating in many activities at Vinson Hall. She had many friends there, and served as a mentor to new residents. Mary Ellen enjoyed visits from her nieces and nephews and their extended families. In her final days, she received loving care from her niece and granddaughter.
Mary Ellen will be buried with her husband, John, at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. A memorial service will be held at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W Maple Ave, Vienna, VA 22180, on Saturday December 3, 2022 at 1PM. A reception will immediately follow at Bazin’s on Church Restaurant, 111 Church St NW, Vienna, VA 22180. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016, or Mid Atlantic English Springer Spaniel Rescue, PO Box 807, Goochland, VA 23063.
In 1953, when John joined the Navy, Mary Ellen took on the most difficult job in the Navy, that of a Navy Wife. Supporting John throughout his 38-year Navy career, Mary Ellen traveled the country with their family to many various duty stations, including tours of duty on both the East and West Coasts, Hawaii and the Middle East.
After John’s retirement from the Navy, they remained in Northern Virginia. John and Mary Ellen enjoyed travel, visiting friends and family, annual visits to Nantucket and attending weekly services at National Presbyterian Church. Mary Ellen especially enjoyed her position as matriarch of the Addams clan.
John and Mary Ellen were blessed with two sons, Tom and Peter, their wives Barbara and Karen, and grandchildren Timothy, Caitlin, Neftaly, Mary Anne, and Caroline. Mary Ellen was pre-deceased by her husband of 67 years, her sister Frances and beloved granddaughter, Mary Anne. After John’s passing, Mary Ellen enjoyed participating in many activities at Vinson Hall. She had many friends there, and served as a mentor to new residents. Mary Ellen enjoyed visits from her nieces and nephews and their extended families. In her final days, she received loving care from her niece and granddaughter.
Mary Ellen will be buried with her husband, John, at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. A memorial service will be held at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W Maple Ave, Vienna, VA 22180, on Saturday December 3, 2022 at 1PM. A reception will immediately follow at Bazin’s on Church Restaurant, 111 Church St NW, Vienna, VA 22180. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016, or Mid Atlantic English Springer Spaniel Rescue, PO Box 807, Goochland, VA 23063.
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As long-time residents of Shouse Village, Mary Ellen and John were a daily treat, walking their dog and greeting all of us by name. They always had time to stop and chat, contributing to the friendly and supportive nature of our community. We lost good neighbors when they moved, and please know that I grieve the loss of the woman that Mary Ellen was, along with you. Please accept my sympathy on your loss. Her smile and friendly nature remains in my memory of her.
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