Obituary of Mary Ellen Paynter

June 25, 1943 – November 5, 2024

Mary Ellen Paynter. Age 81 of Riverview.

Beloved wife of Jim Paynter.  Loving mother of Tracy Paynter and Brian (Susan) Paynter.  Devoted grandmother of Casey and Bailey.  Dear sister of Kathleen Rezanka, Patricia Kinney and Thomas (Connie) McDonough.  Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by siblings John McDonough and Donna Stowe.

Mary Ellen touched so many lives in so many beautiful ways, that if you’re reading this you have your own stories. But of the things we’ll always remember, she was:

      A story-telling sensation. Tales of the east side nice guys versus the south side bullies were epic and possibly true.

      A craft-show queen. She, Tracy and everyone they brought along discovered treasures large and small.

      A master stuffed animal surgeon. Every stuffie under her care was safely returned to her grandchildren.

      A giver of guidance. A life well-lived passed along to those of us who were well-loved.

      A cycling sensation. Have bicycle, will travel, always with the desire for one more mile.

      An incredibly inked individual. Bears and bikes, shamrocks and so much more.

Mary Ellen had the words “’til you can’t” and “always be humble and kind” tattooed on her arms. Her devotion to her husband, children and grandchildren, her family and friends, embodied that spirit. She embraced those sentiments on every day and with every breath. I feel confident she’d ask us all to do the same.