LEWISTON – Mary Ellen Saltis, 67, of 9 Bellegarde Ave., Lewiston, died Saturday, Jan. 22, at Marshwood Health Center with her husband George and her family at her side.

She was born in Lewiston on Aug. 5, 1937, the daughter of Jerome and Laura Poland Minnehan. She was educated in Lewiston schools and graduated from the University of Maine Orono.

She began her career as a State of Maine social worker and then became a teacher in the Lewiston school system. She was a first grade teacher for 32 years, retiring in 1993.

On June 25, 1960, she married George Z. Saltis. They had four daughters and one son.

She enjoyed gardening, cross-stitching, and was an avid reader.

She is survived by her husband George and their children; daughters, Zoanne and her husband, Christopher Paradis, of New Gloucester, Carol and her husband, James Lachapelle, of Poland, Helen and husband, Steven Spencer, of Greene, and Martha and husband, James Catevenis, of Lewiston; and her son, Anthony Saltis and his companion, Hollie Garner, of Durham, N.C. She is also survived by her grandson, Alex Catevenis; and her granddaughters, Laura Catevenis and Jessica Lachapelle. She has one remaining sister, Kathleen Minnehan, of Greene; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by two brothers, Patrick and Richard Minnehan; and one sister, Claire L’Italien.