Mary Ellen Neufeld Martin died peacefully surrounded by her family on May 25, 2008. On March 4, 1926, she was born in Green Bay, Wis. She was the daughter of Albert Carl and Ellen Hogan Neufeld. Her family ancestors were early settlers in the Green Bay area with some members first arriving in 1848. She was graduated from Saint Patrick Grade School and in 1944 was Salutatorian of her class at East High School, both sources of cherished friendships. In 1948 she received a Bachelor's degree from Marymount College, Tarrytown, New York. At Marymount she developed a circle of close, lifelong friends. On June 25, 1949, she married Patrick Henry Martin, son of the late Henry John and Margaret Ryan Martin, at Saint Matthew Church in Allouez. He preceded her in death on October 19, 1995.

From her father she received her love for business, baseball, and the Green Bay Packers. From her mother she received her joy for music and her interest in local history and historic preservation. From both she gained her unwavering faith and the importance of education.

Throughout Mary Ellen's childhood and adolescent years, she pursued her love of dance and piano, which she enjoyed until her death. Spending time with her family at her cottage in Egg Harbor and at her condominium in Fort Lauderdale brought her great pleasure. Travel to interesting places was another of her passions.

Mary Ellen's deep involvement in the community reflected her care for family, others, and the world around her. She touched everyone with whom she came in contact. Her friends spanned all ages and she had the ability to make each person feel unique and special. Above all, Mary Ellen's dedication to her five children, their spouses, and her fifteen grandchildren represents one of her greatest legacies.

She was a longtime member of the Green Bay-De Pere Antiquarian Society, joining in 1954. She served the organization for many years as a board member and was the Governor from 1972 to 1975. From 1996 until her death, she has been the Chairwoman of the Community Liaison Committee. She was a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Heritage Hill Park Foundation, serving from 1975 to 1979. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the YWCA of Green Bay-De Pere and the Abbot Pennings High School Foundation. She also served the community as a member of the Service League of Green Bay, the Our Lady of Charity Guild, the Altrusa Club of Green Bay, and the Brown County Historical Society. When her children were young, she taught religious education classes at Saint Matthew Grade School.
In 1956 Mary Ellen and her late husband, Patrick H., purchased H. J. Martin & Son, Inc. from the estate of Henry John Martin. Throughout her life Mary Ellen served as an officer of the corporation and played an important role with assisting her husband Patrick in growing the H. J. Martin business. She was instrumental in moving the operation to its current location at 320 South Military Avenue. She facilitated the transfer of the ownership to her son, Edward N. Martin, and daughter-in-law, Terri Martin, in 1996.
In 1989 Mary Ellen provided significant guidance and encouragement in the formation of Martin Investment Management, LLC of Evanston, Illinois, which is owned by her son, Patrick A. Martin, and daughter-in-law, Sandra S. Martin.
In 1996 Mary Ellen assisted her son, Thomas P. M. Martin, with the formation of Martin Development LLC. Martin Development owns, manages, and develops commercial real estate properties throughout Northeast Wisconsin.
Mary Ellen was a long time member of Oneida Golf & Country Club and Boca Raton Beach Club, and Resurrection Catholic Church and Saint Matthew Church. She was Chairperson of the Board of Directors of American National Bank of Green Bay, now part of Wells Fargo Bank, from 1974 to 1981 and served on its Board of Directors until 1989.

She is survived by five children, Patrick A. (Sandy), Kenilworth, Ill.; Mary Ellen M. (John) Zellerbach, San Francisco, Calif.; Edward N. (Terri), Green Bay; Margaret M. (Robert) Shade, Green Bay; and Thomas P. M. (Ann), Green Bay; fifteen grandchildren, Sarah, Palm Beach, Fla., Patrick and Philip Martin, Kenilworth, Ill.; Joseph and Elizabeth Zellerbach, San Francisco, Calif.; David, Daniel, Joseph, and Emily Martin, Green Bay; Nicholas, Thomas, Matthew, and James Shade, Green Bay; and Jackson and Ellese Martin, De Pere; sister-in-laws, Rosemary Christman, Green Bay; and Evaleen Neufeld, De Pere; a brother-in-law, Bud Bellon, Fond du Lac; and eight nieces and nephews, Mary Becker, Edward Bellon, Kathleen Plageman, Daniel Bellon, John Bellon, Michael Christman, Margaret Schroeder, and Peter Christman.

In addition to her husband, Patrick Henry, she was preceded in death by two sons, Joseph W. and James H.; her parents, and her brother, Joseph A. Neufeld, her parents-in-law, and many aunts and uncles, including Nora and Mary Hogan.

Special thanks to Kathy Rathburn, Thomas J. Miller, Mary Bouchea, Denise VanderPerren, Theresa Sincoular, Kathleen Lemmens, Julie VanEss, Alice Jarvis, Kevin Smith, Jay Charles, Adam Artel, Robin Sibilsky, and Karen Ladd. Also, thanks to Dr. Daniel Lemkuil, Dr. John H. Randall, Dr. Frederic Schmidt, Dr. Richard Erdman, the staff of the Emergency Room and the Neuro-ICU unit at Saint Vincent Hospital.

Family and friends may call at Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Hilltop Drive, from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, followed by a Prayer Service at 8 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 29. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the church with Bishop Robert Morneau officiating. Burial will be in Allouez Catholic Cemetery. To send on-line condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

A memorial fund has been established in Mary Ellen's name.

Blaney Funeral Home is assisting the Martin family.