SALEM - Ms. Mary Ellen Dooling, 66, of Salem, formerly of Danvers, died Sunday, July 16, 2017 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers following a brief illness. Born in Beverly, she was the daughter of the late Charles Frederick and Mary Ellen (Tierney) Dooling. She was raised and educated in Peabody and Danvers and was a graduate of St. John's Grammar School in Peabody and Bishop Fenwick High School, Class of 1968. She continued her education at Rivier College graduating in 1972 earning her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. During her college years, Mary Ellen was quite the thespian. She performed in many of the college theater productions throughout her college years and directed 12th Knight at UMass-Lowell. Ms. Dooling had been employed as the Marketing Director for Harvard Community Healthcare of Boston. She had also been associated with the Boston Herald as the Healthcare Adviser and contributor. More recently she had been employed as the Health Care Marketing Director for Beacon Hospice and as the Liaison for Hallmark Health - Visiting Nurses Association for 18 years until the time of her retirement in 2016. Throughout her professional career she was also a licensed Social Worker. With an outgoing and affable personality, Mary Ellen used her skills and coordinated and produced the Healthcare Marketplace throughout her 18-year career. She founded and ran many networking groups throughout the healthcare industry that are still in existence today. Active in local political circles, she enjoyed supporting many local candidates especially her cousin Congressman John Tierney. A longtime resident of the City of Salem, Mary Ellen, enjoyed spending her time taking in live music shows and theater productions. Upon her retirement in 2016, she moved to Florida. She returned to the North Shore to be close to family and friends at the time of her diagnosis. Mary Ellen endeared herself to many with her enormous smile and friendly conversation. She enjoyed making new friends and meeting new people. She will be missed by her family and many friends. Mary Ellen wished to thank the staff and care givers of Care Dimensions for the kindness they have shown to her during her illness. Mary Ellen is survived by her dear, lifelong friends, Lyne and Jerry Lepone of Peabody, whom went to great lengths to care for her during her last days, her aunt and uncle, Ann and Jack Burke of Swampscott and many cousins, extended family and cherished friends. She was the daughter of the late Charles Frederick and Mary Ellen (Tierney) Dooling and sister of the late Frederick "Freddy" Dooling.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours in The O'Donnell Funeral Home, 46 Washington Sq., (At Salem Common) Salem, Saturday, July 22nd from 12 noon to 1 P.M., immediately followed by her memorial service at 1 P.M.. Following the memorial service all are invited to Brodie's Seaport, 215 Derby St., Salem to celebrate Mary Ellen's life how she would have wished. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the Hallmark Health Visiting Nurse & Hospice/Caregivers Convention, 178 Savin St., #300, Malden, Ma 02148. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com