Mary Ellen Arsenault

MURRELLS INLET, S.C. – Mary Ellen Arsenault, one of the most beautiful humans we have ever known, peacefully transitioned on April 11, 2022 at 8:55 p.m. She succumbed to complications from a routine medical procedure 27 days earlier. Her loving husband, Robert Arsenault, was at her side the entire time providing her with reassurance, love and comfort. We are processing the loss of our wonderful mother, friend, aunt, and Robert’s wife of 56 years.

Mary Ellen was born in Rumford to Elwin and Esther Howard on July 20, 1946. She grew up in East Rumford with her siblings Ed, Bud and Heidi, where she established relationships with many of her lifelong friends.

Mary Ellen graduated from Stephens High School where she was the first of two female students allowed to take mechanical drawing and went on to attend Chamberlain School of Retailing in Boston. It was during her time at Stephens High School that she met the love of her life, Bob, whom she married on March 12, 1966.

Work and education took them from East Rumford and Castine, to Rowe, Mass. and back to Maine, where they eventually settled in Wiscasset with their two sons, Chris and Marc. Although they only had two children, Mary Ellen often said, “I have my three little boys.” There was truth in that playful statement. She cared for her children and husband with great patience, love and understanding. She was the best mother and role model for Chris and Marc. And she was the best partner for Bob. Their union was written many lifetimes ago and will continue for all of them to come.

While raising her family she chaperoned school events, was an active den mother for both of her sons, and she and Bob were present for all their kid’s activities. She organized family and neighborhood friends for July 4th celebrations where her home would become a hub of costume-making for the town parade. She designed and created wedding and prom dresses for many of her nieces, friends, and neighbors displaying her depth of creative vision and skills. Mary Ellen also made soft sculpture dolls. Like herself, many of her dolls were colorful and fun. Some were meant to be a bit more stoic, such as her classic Maine fishermen. All of them had distinct personalities that came alive. You could look into the eyes of these dolls and have conversations with their souls. Mary Ellen’s special, magical touch made her art come alive. (A few of Mary Ellen’s dolls remain on display at the Taste of Maine restaurant in Woolwich.)

When you walked into her home you were home. Mary Ellen loved having people around. Everyone was welcome and everyone was family. This was especially true in Wayne at “camp,” where Mary Ellen and Bob worked a lifetime to renovate and honor a space that now is infused with her spirit. A head count of the people who were fed there by Mary Ellen and Bob since 1983 runs deep into the thousands. And the laughs enjoyed along the way are impossible to tally.

Mary Ellen balanced caring for her family with a successful retail career working in Boothbay Harbor and Wiscasset. Later, she worked for Brunswick Toyota where she transformed the once male dominant car dealership.

After Bob’s retirement from Maine Yankee Atomic Power, Bob and Mary Ellen cared for her mother, Esther. Mary Ellen and Bob purchased a home in Murrells Inlet, S.C. where they quickly established wonderful friendships with many of their neighbors. Like their home in Wiscasset, their home in Murrells Inlet, S.C. became a reflection of Mary Ellen’s personality and warmth. As Bob says, “Everything here is Mary Ellen. Everything!” And it is true.

Mary Ellen is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Robert; her son, Chris and daughter-in-law Kathleen, her son, Marc and daughter-in-law Emily; her granddaughter, Nikki, her grandson, Patrick; her brother, Ed and her sister-in-law Judy. There is an endless list of friends who Mary Ellen is survived by. It would be difficult to include all of them here.

There will be a celebration of life for Mary Ellen in Wayne this summer.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her honor to any charity that supports animals.