Mary Ellen Smith, 89, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Riverstreet Manor. She was known affectionately as "Ellen, Auntie Ellen or simply Aunty".



Born on March 26, 1935, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Fred Smith and Lou Emma (Newton) Patrick; however, her mother, Emma, married her stepfather, William Choice who raised her from a young child. Ellen attended Wilkes-Barre city schools and Mt. Zion Baptist Church.



Ellen was a fixture in her mother, Emma Choice's house.  As the Newton-Patrick-Smith family history book describes,



"Pleasant memories of Aunty Ellen cooking in Grandma's kitchen come to mind… seeing her smiling and tasting the food.  Aunty Ellen could really cook (and by the smile on her face, she really enjoyed her own cooking).  Aunt Bea, Aunty Lorraine, and Aunt Marion always pitched in, but it was Aunty Ellen who was the 'cook' in Grandma's kitchen." (WARSAW. 1997)



Ellen loved all her children (including nieces, nephews, and cousins) and had opportunities to care for all of them at one time or another. Additionally, she nurtured children within the community – raised and loved them as if they were her own.  She enjoyed many years as a foster parent.  Like her mother, Emma, she cared and nurtured many children in her lifetime.  Ellen also enjoyed crossword and jigsaw puzzles, gardening, fishing and was an avid reader of mystery magazines and books.  Most of all, she enjoyed watching westerns on the television.



Previously, Ellen was employed as a server for the Veterans Administration, a seamstress in the Hazard clothing district, and as a bartender in the family tavern.



Ellen leaves behind one child, Phyllis, a grandson, Drake and two great grandchildren, Emory Jake Smith-Partington and Ezekiel Jordan Searfoss; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; grand/great nieces, nephews, and cousins, several of whom have preceded her in death.



The Viewing will be held on Friday, June 14, 2024, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Yeosock Funeral Home with a Funeral Service immediately following located at 40 S. Main Street, Plains, Internment at Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover.