Mary Ellen (Velasquez) Carmin, 87, Marion, passed away at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, in her home. She was born in Elgin, Illinois, on Friday, December 27, 1935, to Cipriano and Maria (Correa) Velasquez. Mary was one of eleven children and a devoted Catholic.
Mary graduated from Marion High School. After high school, she worked in various departments of RCA and made lifelong friendships. Mary retired as a purchasing agent after 48 years with the company.
Those who loved her described Mary as a sweet, kind soul with movie star looks, Jackie O style, and a witty sense of humor. She was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. Her smile would light up a room, and she was always the first one on the dance floor at a party. Fun fact: Mary was a dance instructor at Arthur Murray at one time in her life. She also enjoyed bowling, golf, watching the Indiana Pacers, and could make her own dresses. She was an excellent cook and baker. Mary was best known for her “world famous jello dessert” and could whip up any of the Mexican family favorite dishes. She was an especially gifted cake decorator and often created very intricate, fancy cakes for those she loved.
Mary cherished time with friends. She enjoyed annual trips to Myrtle Beach with Sandy, Debbie, Kay, Judy and Karen. She also spent quality time with her “adopted Hawaiian family”: Phyllis, Nika, Sissy, Mike and Cindy. Friends and family meant everything to Mary. Her two daughters were her whole life and she made sure they never went without anything. She never missed a chance to watch her grandchildren play sports, dance, sing, and act. She bragged to everyone about their accomplishments and never missed a chance to say, “I Love You”.
Survivors include her daughters, RegGina (Mike) Mattis of Carmel and Tonya Bishop of Marion; grandsons, Caleb McVay and Gavin McClanahan; granddaughters, Ainsley Mattis and Lainey Mattis; brother, Danny (Ruth) Velasquez; and sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen Velasquez and Janice Velasquez.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Mary Lou Futrell, Josephine (Fred) Knight, Mercedes Velasquez, and Connie Gause; brothers, Albert (Carmen) Velasquez, Pete (Phyllis) Velasquez, Lupe (Gloria) Velasquez, Raymond Velasquez, and Larry Velasquez; and son-in-law, Jeramy Bishop.
The family will receive visitors from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral and Cremation Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
On Friday, February 17, 2023, a funeral service to celebrate Mary’s life will begin at 10:00 am. Burial will take place at Gardens of Memory in Marion.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
To send flowers to the family of Mary, please visit our floral store.