Obituaries

Mary Ellen Carollo (nee McMahon), 59, a Village of Lansing resident in the Lansing Trails neighborhood for the past 10 years, passed away on Tuesday, May 26 at Hospicare of Tompkins County in Ithaca, NY, following a valiant struggle against an inoperable brain tumor over the last two years.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Frank Carollo, of Ithaca; her son from a previous marriage, Matthew Vendryes of Davis CA; and a large family including her mother, eight siblings and their families, her father-in-law, and two sisters-in-law and their families. Her beloved father William McMahon predeceased her in February 2008.

Born August 15, 1955 in Westfield NY and raised there, Mary Ellen graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 1977 with a degree in mathematics and then embarked on an outstanding career in software engineering with IBM Corp. that spanned 37 years. She was a holder or co-holder of seven patents issued to IBM during her tenure and spent most of her career at the IBM facility in Endicott NY.

Mary Ellen married Frank Carollo in 1998. Among her many interests, she was a lifelong avid reader, a dedicated walker for fitness, and a knowledgeable and passionate fan of the Buffalo Bills. She was a conscientious and regular blood donor, and an enthusiastic volunteer for a number of good causes and local organizations.

Recognized by all who knew her as a sweet and loving woman devoted to her family, perhaps Mary Ellen’s finest quality was her great generosity of spirit. Even at the end of her life, she remained thoughtful and considerate of others, and maintained a positive outlook and unfailing politeness for family, friends, and the Hospicare staff as they cared for her. Her generosity continued after her death as well: she has given the gift of sight to some deserving person by donating her eyes to the Central New York Eye & Tissue Bank for transplantation.

Mary Ellen Carollo will be remembered always as a kind and generous person, and a truly lovely woman of grace and integrity.
 
Remembrances may be shared in her guest book at Bangs Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, Mary Ellen’s memory may be honored by contributions to support Covenant House, Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins County, Hospicare of Tompkins County, the Mary Ellen Carollo Fund at National Brain Tumor Society, or Tioga County Rural Ministry, or by donating blood to American Red Cross or local blood banks.