RIP  4.15.2024

Mary Ellen Beaver

February 24, 1931 - April 15, 2024

Mary Ellen Beaver, age 93, of Catawissa, passed away on Monday evening, April 15, 2024, a resident of the Sunbury Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was a resident of her home in Catawissa for over 72 years.

Mary Ellen was born on Tuesday, February 24, 1931 in Bloomsburg, a daughter of the late Earl Artley and Dorothy Ella (Watts) Leiby. She graduated from St. Cyril's Academy in 1949. For many years she was employed by Legal Services at multiple locations throughout the United States as a paralegal until her retirement in 2001. She was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church. As the mother of 7 children attending Catholic schools, she testified in Harrisburg House and Senate in the early 1970’s to advocate for the eventual passage of the PA law which requires public schools to provide for the free transportation of resident pupils to not for profit schools (24 PS 13-1361). Mary Ellen founded Friends of Farmworkers, now known as Justice at Work. In 1978, she was the driving force behind the passage of the Pennsylvania Farm Labor Law.

In 1984, she received the Benemerenti Medal from Pope John Paul II, recognizing her work with migrant farm workers. Mary Ellen was recognized by the Florida Bar Foundation and the National Legal Aid and Defender Association in 1991.

She was a recipient of the 1993 Public Service Achievement Award in Washington, D.C. from Common Cause as “an intrepid and lifelong crusader for the rights of migrant farmworkers.” She’s been the subject of stories in several national publications, including LA Times, Parade Magazine, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Miami Herald and Florida Sun-Sentinel, along with several stories in the Bloomsburg Press Enterprise and the Harrisburg Catholic Witness. Mary Ellen was featured in the book “Activists Speak Out”, published in 2001. She was active with the Harrisburg Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and formerly employed by the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, Harrisburg. Mary Ellen was a lifetime member of the Roaring Creek Valley Conservation Association. She collected antiques in her travels, and was a prolific letter writer to her family, numerous friends and many public figures.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a sister, Susan Harner, a nephew, Stephen Harner and her ex-husband, George Beaver, Sr.

Survivors include her seven beloved children: Michael Beaver and wife Judy of Mohnton, Mary Rose Luby and husband James of Catawissa, Frances Moser and husband Neil of Elizabethtown, James Beaver of Catawissa, George Beaver, Jr. and wife Susan of Mountain Top, Anne Clark and husband Tracy of Catawissa, Elizabeth Beaver of Northumberland, six grandchildren: Dr. Aaron Moser and Quinn Pham of Phoenix, AZ; Rachel MacNamara and husband William of Wellsville; Ashley Shaffer and husband Justin of Selinsgrove; Amber Fisk and husband Shane of Bloomsburg; Lindsey Herman and husband Kyle of Catawissa; Katrina Beaver of Bethlehem; seven great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and a sister, Jane Lewellyn and companion David VanGilder of Shamokin Dam.

A time of Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, April 22, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Allen Funeral Home, Inc. 745 Market at Eighth Street, Bloomsburg.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 304 Slabtown Rd, Catawissa, with Rev. Dennis G. Dalessandro, celebrant. Graveside committal services will immediately follow at the Hillside Cemetery, Catawissa. The Allen Funeral Home, Inc., is honored to be serving the Beaver family.

Memorial contributions in Mary Ellen's name are suggested to: Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 304 Slabtown Road, Catawissa, PA 17820 or The Valley Chemical Fire Company, 1223B Numidia Drive, Catawissa, PA 17820.