03 March 1945 –28 September 2024

Sr. Mary Ellen Sambuco died peacefully on September 28th in the early morning hours at Sancta Maria Nursing Facility in Cambridge not far from our MMM home in Somerville.  She was born in Los Angeles but grew up and had all her early education in Irwin, Pennsylvania.  After leaving school she studied for Licensed Practical Nursing, graduating in 1965.  She worked for three years in paediatrics and obstetrical nursing on a Sioux Indian reservation in South Dakota.  It was there she met the Benedictine Sisters, and it was their mentoring and friendship that helped her find her way to MMM in Winchester MA in 1968.  It was there as well that she developed an appreciation and love for indigenous American Indian culture and spirituality that was a part of her throughout her life.

From early days her many gifts were appreciated.  She had a lovely singing voice and could play the guitar.  She was kind and gentle.  She also had a good sense of humour and a hearty laugh.  One of her favorite musicians/singers was Pavarotti and his music gave her great peace and had a special place in her collection.

After her initial religious formation, she went to Northeastern University and graduated as a Registered Nurse.  Then she went to Ireland and England for her Midwifery training and British registration which she would need for her future work in Malawi.

Sr. Mary Ellen went to Malawi in 1978 and began work in St. John’s Hospital in Mzuzu.  She also worked both in Nkhata Bay and in Chipini. She worked in maternal and child health, and she had special skills and a gift in working with premature babies.

In 1992 she returned to USA.  Her ministry during the following years was divided between assignments of maternal health and childcare, visiting families and community nursing and she had a special gift for working with children with special needs.  Growing up she had one younger brother Sonny, who had Down’s Syndrome.  Sonny was very special in her life, and she took responsibility for Sonny after their mother died.  He was a beautiful soul and gave her a special love for all those with special needs.

Her final thirteen years were spent in the city of Somerville Housing Authority senior living center and she lived out her healing charism with the residents there and with music therapy for autistic children and visiting the elderly.

In September 2024 she needed hospice care as she was gravely ill.  The Sisters in the MMM house in Somerville accompanied and nursed her during these final days of her journey of life.  Her memorial service, the celebration of her life, and her burial took place in Somerville 0n 4th November 2024.

May  Sr. Mary Ellen rest in eternal peace surrounded by her beloved brother Sonny, and her many friends and family who have gone before her.