Mary Ellen Samay

Mary Ellen (Valasek) Samay, 66, of Natrona Heights, passed away Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, at her home. She was born Aug. 23, 1949, in Natrona Heights, the oldest daughter of the late Louis R. and Cecilia Rutkowski Valasek. Mary Ellen was a 1967 graduate of Har-Brack High School. She received her Bachelor in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Master in Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Mary Ellen dedicated her life to teaching. She was immensely devoted to her students during her 40-year career, teaching at Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament School in Natrona Heights and the Burrell School District. Mary Ellen was an active member of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Natrona Heights, where she also taught CCD. Mary Ellen loved preparing her students to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist. She enjoyed praying, reading and spending time with her family, especially her grandson. Mary Ellen is survived by her three daughters, Julie (Rob) Mokry, of Santa Rosa, Calif., Lauren Samay, of Charlottesville, Va., and Megan Gresham, of Natrona Heights; her beloved grandson, Alexander Gresham; her siblings, Lucille (Ronald) Werthman, of Lutherville, Md., Patricia (George) Klein, of Valencia, Susan (Eric) Fanto, of Plum, Louis M. Valasek, of Natrona Heights, and Lois (Daniel) Despres, of St. Johns, Mich.; and by her nieces and nephews.
There will be no public visitation. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015, at Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, Natrona Heights, with her pastor, the Rev. James Mazurek, as celebrant. Burial will be in Mt. Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights. Arrangements are under the care of the CICHOLSKI-ZIDEK FUNERAL HOME INC., Natrona Heights, 724-224-8688.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mary Ellen may be made to Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament School, 800 Montana Ave., Natrona Heights, PA 15065; or to St. Jude Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To send an on line condolence, please visit www.cicholski-zidekfh.com.