Mary Ellen (Zunino) Ellis

Ellis, Mary (Zunino) of Braintree, formerly of Dorchester, passed away peacefully at her home by her loved ones.  Mary was born October 6, 1932 to Mary Ellen (Hallisy) Zunino and Ernest Joseph Zunino and grew up in Dorchester as the youngest of 5 children.  She met the love of her life and dancing partner of her dreams, David Sherman Ellis. They married September 11th, 1954 and had 5 children; David Ellis and his late wife Kathleen, James Ellis and wife Janmie, Mary-Lou Musto and husband Mark, the Late Laurie (Ellis) Melchionda and surviving husband Robert, Karalyn Clancy and husband Richard. She was a devoted grandmother to David, Steven, Katlyn, Christopher, David, Robert, Anthony, Juliana, Corbin, Veronica and 7 great-grandchildren. She also leaves a sister Dorothy (Zunino) Reilly of Cambridge. 

Mary graduated from Dorchester Highschool for girls in 1950.  She was the secretary of her senior class and vice president of the art club.  Mary went on to work for the telephone company and later in her life she worked for the Boston State Hospital until its closing and her division was moved to the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital where she remained until she retired at the age of 58. 

Mary had many years of ballroom dancing with her husband David they belonged to the McKean Post and the Knights of Columbus. Her continuous passion for dance brought her to the line dancing community. She enjoyed dancing at many senior centers around the south shore including the Whipple Senior Center in Weymouth, Rockland Senior Center, Linden Ponds in Weymouth, Randolph AmVets, and too many others to mention.  In the summer you would find her at the Sunset Lake concerts on Tuesday and she would never miss her beloved Nantasket beach pavilion dancing on Sunday.  She will be remembered for always lighting up the dance floor, whether it be her smooth moves, or playing the tambourine she always made an impact with anyone dancing with her. She will be missed by many.

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