Obituary of Mary Ellen McConnell

As Mary’s great granddaughter Ali would tell you “Grandma moved to Heaven”. Mary Ellen McConnell (Barrett) passed on Sunday September 25, 2022 at her home in Mountain Home. She was born on October 4, 1932 to David Hopkins and Johanna Marie Barrett in Rockland, Idaho. Her childhood was spent in the American Falls area. Graduating from high school in 1950, then on to the University of Idaho. As a lifelong Vandal fan, she always held her own in a very Boise State dominated family.

On September 22, 1960 she married Victor (Mac) McConnell. As Mom would put it, she was always the chief cook and bottle washer, following her husband Mac’s career with Idaho Power. Together they lived at CJ Strike Power, the Hells Canyon Complex (Brownlee and Oxbow) and in Hagerman, making lifelong friends at each location. Gardening, berry picking, canning, making jams and jellies always brought great satisfaction and joy to her. Watching the deer graze on the bushes in the flowerbeds was a source of great entertainment.

Soon after Mac retired, they moved to Mountain Home to be closer to their granddaughters. In Mountain Home they built their forever home. Mac and Mary traveled frequently throughout the United States. Square Dancing whenever they could. Mary volunteered for several years at the Mountain Home Visitors Center. She truly enjoyed visiting with travelers from all over the world, ever ready to give directions to their next potential destination. She was always ready for a ride in the car, long drives or short, it didn’t matter she was always ready and willing to go.

She was a true optimist, reminding each of us never take life to seriously, take the time to enjoy the simple things in life. Always full of quirky little sayings that we will all miss.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Victor, her son Edwin, son inlaw Jim, sisters Elsie and Lois, and brother Ralph.

She is survived by brother George Barrett, children Jon McConnell, Patti Osborn, Cory (Maria) McConnell. Granddaughters Amanda (Aron), Sarah (Kiegen), Lindsey, Ashley and Amber. Great Granddaughter Ali. Special daughters Catherine Capella and Doris Earl.

A graveside inurnment was held at Mountain View Cemetery, in Mtn Home, on Friday September 30, 2022.  Cremation was under the care of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.