Mary Ellen was a close and special friend to many members of the National Federation of the Blind, especially to those in Idaho.
Below please find a link to Mary Ellen’s celebration of life live stream, obituary, and a Youtube video of Mary Ellen with her twin grandkids.
Watch a replay of Mary Ellen’s Celebration of Life live stream
Obituary of Mary Ellen Halverson
January 5, 1945 – December 17, 2023
Mary Ellen was born on a military base in Dalhart, Texas where her father was serving. When her father was assigned to duty in Japan she and her mother moved back to her mother’s home town of Virden, Illinois. Here she began her schooling. After her father completed his service duty, the family moved to Decatur, Illinois. With later job transfers the family moved to Rock Island, Illinois where Mary Ellen graduated from High School in 1963.
In the fall she enrolled as a freshman at the University of Iowa. The next fall she took time out to get training at the Iowa Commission for the Blind in the Orientation and Adjustment Center. There she was inspired and encouraged by the person and philosophy of Dr. Kenneth Jernigan. Believing in its purpose and work, Mary Ellen joined and became a lifelong committed member of the National Federation of the Blind. For many years she was an active member of the NFB, at times serving as an officer and participating in many activities.
In October of 1973, Mary Ellen and her family moved to Boise, Idaho. From her youth Mary Ellen practiced and held strong Christian beliefs. She was a member of Whitney Baptist Church in Boise which she felt was her church family. Mary Ellen was a warm, kind and loving person. She had strong love and continuing concern for her family. She also had warm loyal feelings for her many friends.
Mary Ellen is survived by her husband, Raymond; son, Mathew (Lori); daughter, Holly Gorton (Stacy); grandchildren: Emma, Lindsay, Noelle, Krista, Lilly, Henry, Elley, and Jack; sister, Susan Fite Nyberg (Eric), from St. Paul Minnesota; and brother, Mark Fite of Glendale, California.
Mary Ellen is greatly loved by many, and will be very much missed. God Bless her.
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