Mary Ellen Sessa
Bristol , VT
Mary Ellen Sessa was born on October 1, 1943 to Vincent J and M. Frances (Lane) Sessa.
She graduated from Burlington High School in 1961 and earned her BS in Elementary Education from the University of Vermont .
After college she joined the Peace Corp and went to Brazil. This was a very happy learning time for her where she met lots of wonderful people from both Brazil and the United States and formed several lifelong friendships.
Following her time in the Peace Corp, Mary Ellen taught Elementary School in Washington DC before obtaining her Master’s Degree in Reading at the University of Maryland. After two years teaching Remedial Reading in Bladensburg, Maryland she returned to VT and made her home in Bristol.
For 15 years she taught Reading at Vergennes Union High School while also serving as the Faculty Advisor for the American Field Service. Through AFS she had many adventures with her exchange students from all over the world and the members of the club at the school.
In 1990 Mary Ellen became a Certified School Administrator through a program at St. Michael’s College. She later served as Administrator of Enosburg Falls Middle and High School. Upon her retirement she began substitute teaching in her home town of Bristol where she had the time of her life associating with Mt. Abe’s finest young people.
Her teaching did not stop there. As a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church she was a long time Catechism Teacher who adored all her students. She also served as a Eucharistic Minister.
Mary Ellen was witty and had a great zest for life. She enjoyed the outdoors, traveling, and most of all spending time at Colchester Point at her summer camp. She loved a good joke, a good book, and a good time with friends and family. Mary Ellen was incredibly grateful for all the amazing friends she made throughout her life. She felt that without them, she would have been nothing. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her sister Susan (Donald) Gerry of Ocala FL and their children Michael and Matthew Gerry and their families as well as her brother Vincent (Maureen) Sessa of Lynwood, WA and their children Catherine Sessa Taylor and James Sessa and their families. She also leaves behind many, many dear cousins and her cat, Sissy. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her brother Francis “Frank” Sessa in 1991.
The family would like thank those who helped and supported Mary Ellen especially Stacy Tallen, Pat Finnerty, Michelle Eastman, and the wonderful staff at Addison County Home Health and Hospice.
There will be no calling hours. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. for Mary Ellen on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Bristol followed by a reception in the hall. Burial will take place after the luncheon at the Sessa Family Plot in St. Anne’s Cemetery in Milton, VT. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s Ellen’s name can be sent to St. Ambrose Church, 11 School St. Bristol, VT 05443. To send online condolences to her family please visit www.brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com