Sister Mary Ellenann Mach, SND
Sister Mary Ellenann Mach was born Oct. 22, 1946, in Cleveland. As the oldest of 10 children born to Frank and Rosemary (neeSchmitz) Mach, she learned to love small children and helped to keep the household running smoothly.
Goodness, service to others and humor were nurtured and characterized their growing up years. High school days at Nazareth Academy brought thoughts of becoming a religious. She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame on Aug. 16, 1964, and was welcomed by her cousin, Sister Melannie Svoboda, a second-year novice.
Sister Mary Ellenann’s ministry stayed constant. She took great joy in exploring and mastering all aspects of food service. Her expertise in preparing healthy meals, feeding the soul by feeding the body, was part of her spiritual life. “This is one way I can show my love for God and for my sisters.”
She loved to cook, and brought a practical and calm approach to her work. In the large provincial house kitchen she was in a position to do a bit of teaching to the lay staff and was proud to pass on the skills and the spirit of the Sisters from whom she had learned.
For over 50 years, Sister Mary Ellenann served in a variety of larger convent kitchens in Chardon, Cleveland and Virginia. In 1994, Sister returned to the Chardon provincial center as co-director of food service. She transitioned from active meal preparation when the Aladdin Food Management Services assumed that responsibility in 2006. As administrative assistant for Aladdin and then for the SND Food Services, Sister generated reports, assisted with bookkeeping and took care of the many hidden details that go into an efficient, well-organized kitchen.
Sister loved large family gatherings, scrapbooking, traveling and writing poetry that expressed her experience of the beauty and wonder of creation. For the past five years Sister Mary Ellenann faced the diagnosis of a degenerative muscle disease, for which there was no cure, with courage and quiet gracefulness. She was always grateful for loving support and continued prayer. Her steady, gentle presence and her absolute trust in God were gifts to family, friends and colleagues.
May she rest in the presence of our good and loving God.
Sister was preceded in death by her parents, Frank George and Rosemary (nee Schmitz) Mach; and siblings Thomas, James (Kathy) and Kenneth (Evette).
Surviving are her cherished siblings Donna Howski (Robert), Robert (Linda), Janet Gottlieb (Donald), Jerry (Jean), Marilou Roth (John), Karen Seibel (Chris) and Maureen Fortner (Jeff). She was beloved aunt and great-aunt; dear cousin and sister to the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame with whom she shared her life for 56 years.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Sept. 7, 2022, at the Sisters of Notre DameCenter, 13000 Auburn Road, Munson Township.
