Mary Ellen Coleman
OBITUARY
Mary Ellen Coleman lived her life selflessly as a woman of profound love and devotion to God, her family, friends, and her community.
With deep sorrow, the Coleman family shares with you the passing of Mary Ellen Coleman (79 years of age) on December 21, 2025 at Geisinger CMC Hospital.
Mary Ellen lived a life of service to her community, offering dynamic leadership both within and beyond it. Through her involvement and compassion, she touched the lives of many along her journey – friends, neighbors, co-workers, and individuals who reached out for help.
Those who came to meet with her, work with her, and serve with her in helping others called her a superstar.
Known as Mer-Mer by family and friends, she was the glue that would hold and keep family together. Though saddened by her passing, we cherish the beautiful memories of her love and time and will miss her gift of gab, her laugh, the daily phone calls, and her supportive presence in the lives of others.
Born and raised in Scranton, PA, she was the daughter of Edward (Red) Coleman and Eleanor McCann Coleman, and sister of three brothers William (Ann), Moosic; Edward (Mary Claire), Tunkhannock; Robert (Kathleen), Scranton; 9 nieces and nephews, and 15 great nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister-in-law, Ann Coyne Coleman.
Mary Ellen lived her life as a proud Irish lass, attending St. Paul’s High School and East Stroudsburg University. Her God-given talents stretched over a wide spectrum of community service projects. She served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, holding leadership roles and becoming the first woman to serve as Chair of the Board in the Chambers 125-year history. She served as Chair of the St. Joseph’s Center Auxiliary and Annual Summer Festival for two years, with engagement in the work of St. Josephs for more than 45 years. Her civic involvement also included work with Scranton Tomorrow, Scranton Area Foundation, United Way of Lackawanna County, the Wright Center, Lackawanna County Recycling Board, Advisory Boards of the Bank of Olyphant and Penn Security Bank; and the Tour de Scranton Annual Fundraiser to support addiction rehabilitation.
For more than 40 years, her professional career included numerous accomplishments in education, including her role as Director of Development at Marywood University, nine years of service as a member of Marywood’s Board of Trustees, and more than ten years as the Alumni Engagement Consultant.
Mary Ellen spent more than 25 years in the outdoor media industry, beginning with Patrick Media Group as Vice President of Corporate Affairs. She later became a limited partner of Martin Media and Vice President/General Manager of LAMAR Outdoor. She also served as a consultant to Times Shamrock Outdoor and Shamrock Outdoor in New Jersey.
In addition to her brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews, she leaves many cousins and friends, particularly her close friend and colleague, Barbara Cawley, who will sadly miss her.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Ellen’s name to St. Joseph’s Center.
The funeral will be Monday from the Albert P. O’Donnell Funeral Home, 2025 Green Ridge Street, Dunmore with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul Church, 1510 Penn Avenue, Scranton. Interment Cathedral Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. All those attending the funeral are asked to proceed directly to the church on Monday morning.
Mary Ellen Coleman
December 21, 2025