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Mary Ellen Kehoe Ondo

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Medical University of South Carolina University of Dayton

FUNERAL HOME

James A. McAlister Funerals & Cremation

1620 Savannah Highway

Charleston, South Carolina

Mary Ondo Obituary

Name: Visitation for Mary Ellen Kehoe Ondo
Start: 2021-07-23T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2021-07-23T23:00:00.000Z
Location: James A. McAlister Funerals & Cremation

Mary Ellen Kehoe Ondo Charleston - Mary Ellen Kehoe Ondo, 77, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on July 21, 2021. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 24, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1695 Raoul Wallenberg Blvd, Charleston. The Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends between 5:00 and 7:00 PM Friday at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy. Mary Ellen was born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 18, 1944. She was the daughter of the late William and Margaret Kehoe. Mary Ellen graduated from Regina High School in Euclid, Ohio and received her teaching certification from the University of Dayton. She met the love of her life, Jerry, while teaching 4th grade at St. Francis of Assisi in Gates Mills, Ohio, and were married on August 26, 1967. They settled in Charleston in 1972, when Jerry accepted a faculty position at the Medical University of SC. It was here that they were blessed to raise 6 children. Mary Ellen and Jerry loved traveling the world, cruising with friends and shagging on the Santee later in life. They were also avid campers and took many family vacations with their large one-bedroom canvas tent. One of their most daring adventures was moving the entire family for a year in 1980 to live in Gottingen, Germany, where their youngest child was born. Mary Ellen earned many titles throughout her life. She was a wife, mother, sister, aunt, sister-in-law, cousin, mother-in-law, friend, artist, teacher, carpool driver, cheerleader, volunteer, business owner, chef, swim instructor, room mom, flutist, piano instructor, dorm counselor, hostess, CSOL Designer House Boutique Chair, but her most beloved title was that of "Dhamma" to her nine grandchildren- Christian, Genevieve, Hampton, Fiora, Jorden, Lucy, Reece, Owen and Hudson. Mary Ellen was a talented artist. In 1978, inspired by her own children, she began Alpha-pets, which was an illustrated animal alphabet- hand drawn in pen, ink, and watercolor. The business grew to include a clothing line that was designed, handmade, painted and embroidered. One summer she hand-painted all the team t-shirts for the Northbridge Killer Whale Swim Team and the Lowcountry Sea Devil Swim Team. She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Dr. Jerry Ondo; six children, Meghan Geils (Wills), John Patrick Ondo (Angela Hall), Matthew Ondo(Stephanie), Maura Hall (Brian), Jennie Lloyd (Marc)and Heidi Bass (Jordan). She is also survived by her siblings, Gerald, Timothy, Robert and Anne Kehoe as well as many, many nieces and nephews. Her family would like to thank the staff at MUSC, Roper Hospital, Charleston Oncology and Crescent Hospice for their kindness and care in her final days. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph's Catholic Church online at www.saintjosephchas.com or to Sisters of Notre Dame in Chardon, Ohio at https://sndusa.org/donatechardon. Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Jul. 22 to Jul. 23, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Mary Ondo

Sponsored by James A. McAlister Funerals & Cremation.

16 Entries

Lucie Jones

August 2, 2021

What a lovely lady........smart, creative and always welcoming. She will be missed by many. My sympathy to all of her family.

Patricia Campbell

July 28, 2021

Love to Jerry, all the Ondos and all the Kehoes, from "the other coast", all stitched in memories of another time, when we were very young. We remember Mary Ellen from family gatherings in our childhoods--the holy communions, high school graduations, weddings, and funerals, and we so enjoyed the family stories and photos she would send and post over the years. Love from (cousins) Pat and Jimmie and families.

Kate Seifried

July 25, 2021

Aunt Mary Ellen will be greatly missed. I always thought her smile could light up the room. She had a creative spirit like no other. Our family sends hugs and prayers of comfort to Uncle Jerry and all of the family. Kate and Steven Seifried

Joanie Gerken

July 24, 2021

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Gerry and I are so sorry for your loss.

Carolyn Cuttino

July 24, 2021

Love and prayers for all! Remembering the fun soccer games and trips! Carolyn and Coty Cuttino

Larry and Linda Parker

July 24, 2021

Rest in peace dear friend! You will be missed.

Pauline Wagner Rippel

July 23, 2021

Dear Jerry and family, My husband Rod just passed 6 weeks ago so I have an idea of what you may be experiencing. My heart and prayers are with you. Altho I haven't seen Mary Ellen for years, she has always been a special cousin.

My prayers are with all of you. Sincerely,
Pauline Wagner Rippel

Kimmie Conrey Stevens

July 23, 2021

THIS WAS ONE VERY SPECIAL LADY TO ME....
I am so saddened to hear this from my best friend growing up.... Meghan Ondo Geils
Mrs. Ondo was my second mom. She was the classiest, smartest, most creative, giving, compassionate person I´ve ever known. She was my rock when my parents were working and especially when my sister was ill/dying. Mrs. Ondo was my happy, safe place. Spent more time at their house than my own.

Kathy Bland

July 23, 2021

A sweet, sweet lady has departed this world. Met Mary Ellen while my kids attended Blessed Sacrament School. Seems like I was always at her house picking up t-shirts and gifts with personalized names on them. Loved the talent she displayed on everything she touched. She will be missed.

Linda Joyce

July 23, 2021

We Loved Mary Ellen so much and she will truly be missed. She was always a Ray of Sunshine and made everyone around her feel so loved and appreciated. Rest in Peace now my friend. Love, Linda and Jimmy Joyce and Family ❤

Lolly

July 22, 2021

So much love to the whole family, what a terrible loss. Love you so much, Johndo and Angela!

Lauren, Keira and Abbie

Sent Flowers

Angela Austin

July 22, 2021

Momma Ondo forever a member of the Gamecock Women’s Soccer family. Always there for us with a hug and a smile and a tub full of peanut butter balls. You will be loved and missed by so many.

Peggy Cross

July 22, 2021

MY heart is aching.
Mary Ellen was a sweet friend and so fun to work with.
Love to all her family .
Whom she lived dearly she loved dearly.
We always shared Grandchildren
stories and pictures.
She adored them.

Tony Williams

July 22, 2021

I´ll never forget pretty much "growing up" in the Kehoe household. I´ll always remember the pleasant attitude of my cousin Mary Ellen and the fun times she and I shared in our early 20s in all of the in places in downtown Cleveland. Having lost my wife five years ago, I can deeply sympathize with the Ondo family. My hopes and prayers are with you all!

Donald Wade

July 22, 2021

Mary Ellen was the most compassionate sweetest lady you would ever know .. She is at peace and happy in heaven now...She will be sorely miss be me and my family..

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