Shewalter

The beloved Mary Ellen Shewalter, affectionately known as Mel and Madame, 87, of Butler, peacefully passed away on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024.

Born Oct. 28, 1936, she was the daughter of the late William Henry Larkin and Mary Trimbur Larkin. Her father’s untimely departure, when she was 10 years old, led Mel and her sisters, Lucille and Katie, to be raised by their resilient mother.

After graduating from Butler High School, Mel attended Marymount College in Tarrytown, N.Y. She spent her junior year abroad at the Universite de la Sorbonne, Paris, continuing her love for travel and France.

Mel made a significant impact on her community. The greatest was her dedication to the staff and students at the Butler Area School District. Madame created so many memories with her students through her love of teaching and the French culture she wanted to share with them. Most often remembered were her trips to Quebec, Paris, and any way possible to take a field trip … from the Nutcracker ballet to a Pittsburgh Pirate or Penguin game. Not to forget the bonus points for eating escargot or baking a Buche de Noel.

Beyond teaching, Mel was a lifelong member of the Butler Country Club and St. Paul Roman Catholic Church. She had a strong Catholic faith. Mel chaired numerous organizations, such as the Butler Garden Club, AAUW, Junior Women’s Club, Intermediate League, Soroptimist International, as well as football, swimming and basketball boosters. Mel also created many memories for a very special group of friends in her retirement years, traveling to Russia, Greece, Italy and beyond.

A sports enthusiast, Mel enjoyed playing tennis and passionately supported her children on courts, in gyms, natatoriums and athletic fields. She was a dedicated fan of both local and professional sports, attending nearly every home Pittsburgh Steelers game in the ’70s with T. William and their friends. Football weekends, including the Penn State Nittany Lions and Notre Dame Fighting Irish, were a source of great excitement and passion for Mel.

Mel was admired as a local legend by many through her contributions and unmistakable charisma and humor. Many have said her Hollandaise sauce and eggs Benedict were second to none!

Most importantly, Mel was a dedicated and active mother, who created a legacy of love and family. She leaves behind to cherish and continue her memory, her seven children, Mary Elizabeth Goodwin, William Larkin Shewalter (Rene’), Paul Francis Shewalter (Samantha), Bruce Charles Shewalter (Wendy), Christopher Ellis Shewalter, Barry Edward Shewalter and Suzanne Margaret Shewalter-Brown (Travis); and her adored grandchildren, Jacob, Joshua and Brucie, Colleen and Erin, William, Frank, Joey and Mickey, and T. Nick and Malcolm; and her sisters, Lucille Eden Larkin and Kathleen Eleanor Larkin.

In addition to her parents, Mel was preceded in death by the love of her life, T. William Shewalter; and twin boys, John and Joseph Shewalter.

SHEWALTER — Friends of Mary Ellen Shewalter, who died Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at BOYLAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER OF CONNOQUENESSING TOWNSHIP, 856 Evans City Road, Renfrew.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at All Saints Parish, St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St., Butler.

Mel will be laid to rest privately at Calvary Cemetery in Butler.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.