October 14, 1948 - June 18, 2021
Mary Ellen Day
Age 72, born October 14, 1948, daughter of Emily and A. Whittier Day, longtime residents of Richfield, and she died June 18, 2021 of long term COVID side effects. Mary was a very happy person who enjoyed close friendships and participated in many social activities. She confronted many challenges through her life and benefitted greatly from the love of family and friends. Through the progressive Special Education curriculum in the Richfield schools of the 1950s and 60s Mary gained skills promoting independence. She made her home at Community Living in Victoria since the 1970s, working at MRCI Chaska. She enjoyed dances at The Arc, summers at Camp Friendship and bowling on the Special Olympics team. Since 2018 she has lived at Bethesda-Golden Valley. In April 2020 Mary was hospitalized with COVID. With the encouragement and creativity of the nursing staffs at North Memorial and North Ridge Rehab she was prepared to return to her home, though she never regained her previous level of independence. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Bethesda and the North Memorial hospice team for their love and kindness over the past months. Mary is survived by her sister Sarah Day of Richmond VA, brothers John (Suzanne Degler) Day of Palo Alto CA, and Thomas (Christine) Day of Duluth MN, 11 nieces and nephews and 10 grand nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life will be held at her residence.
Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to The Arc Minnesota or Special Olympics. To honor her memory, be sure to smile, always wave goodbye and celebrate the love you share along the way.