Mary Ellen (Hewett) McLeod

On Sunday, March 15, 2020, Mary Ellen (Hewett) McLeod, loving wife, mother and sister, passed away following a brief illness.  Born on January 7, 1932 to Dr. Arthur J. Hewett, MD and Lucy (Kelley) Hewett in Newburyport, MA, she attended Immaculate Conception and Newburyport High School. She was awarded a bachelor’s degree in business and economics from Mount St. Mary’s College in Hookset, NH in 1954; a bachelor’s degree in reading and curriculum from Salem State University in 1957 and a Master’s degree in reading and curriculum in 1960.  Mary Ellen taught elementary education at various schools in Connecticut as well as Bellville Elementary School in Newburyport.   Mary Ellen met George McLeod while teaching in Connecticut; they were married for 54 years and took pride in raising their two sons, Scott and Jonathan.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, George; her parents, Arthur and Lucy Hewett; her brothers, Arthur and Edward Hewett; her sister, Julie (Hewett) Cole; her brothers-in-law, Edward Cole and William McLeod; her sisters-in-law, Betty (McLeod) Smeriglio, June Hewett, and Margaret Hewett.

Mary Ellen is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Jennifer McLeod of Amesbury, MA; her son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan and Lisa McLeod of Escondido, CA; her brothers and sisters-in-law: Tom Smeriglio of Florida, and Johanna & Gary Fowler of Tennessee; and Patricia McNamara McLeod; her seven grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Mary Ellen loved , and was loved, by her family.  She was a staunch supporter of education, particularly in supporting endeavors to foster reading in the young.

Mary Ellen was laid to rest among family members following a private ceremony at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lynn, MA on March 24, 2020. The Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950 is assisting Mrs. McLeod’s family with her funeral arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made in Mary Ellen’s name to the Immaculate Conception Church 42 Green St. Newburyport, MA 01950.

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