Mary Ellen Nicholson

Nicholson

Mary Ellen Nicholson, 72, of Dunkirk, N.Y., passed away Thursday, September 16, 2021.

Mary Ellen was the daughter of the late Ferdi-nand and Elsie (Burns) Schmatz. After graduating from Cardinal Mindszenty High School she earned a BA in Elementary Educa-tion from SUNY Fredonia and an MS in Special Edu-cation from the University of North Dakota. Addition-ally Mary studied interna-tionally at The Royal Academy of Art in Belgi-um. Mary taught school in various communities throughout Western NY be-fore ultimately ending her career in the Buffalo Public Schools where she taught for the past two decades. Mary was an avid gardener and a voracious reader. As a professional writer, she was widely published and through her long theatrical career, she delighted audi-ences with her pitch perfect singing voice and uncanny English accent.

Mary is survived by her son, Paul M. Nicholson of Allentown, Pa.; her sister, Janet (Schmatz) Cadwal-lader of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., as well as many beloved nieces and nephews spread from Cas-sadaga, N.Y., to Akron, N.Y., and beyond.

Besides her parents, Fer-dinand and Elsie Schmatz, Mary is predeceased by her siblings: James, Michael, Elizabeth and Philip Schmatz; also her daughter, Laura Elise Nicholson.

The family will hold a memorial reception at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 695 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo NY 14222, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 25, in the Parish Hall and adjacent Garden. (No for-mal start time, visitors may come and go between the 1 and 2:30 p.m.). Masks will be required of all guests entering into the church’s Parish Hall.

The family, on Mary’s behalf, offer a special thanks to her friends and colleagues n the Buffalo Public Schools.

Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Dunkirk, N.Y.

Online condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler, LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home, 716-679-9000.