Ellen Mary Shalvey, 65, died on Tuesday, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born in Providence, Rhode Island, and raised in Warwick, she resided in Coventry for the last 41 years.
Ellen Mary graduated from Pilgrim High School in Warwick in 1973 and from the University of Rhode Island in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She began her early career with a part-time position at W. W. Grainger in Warwick. She quickly rose to Assistant Manager and was soon promoted to General Manager of W.W. Grainger in Norwood, MA. She remained with W.W. Grainger for many years until her true passion for cooking sparked her to return to her studies. While working full time in various local eateries, she obtained her degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales College. Her culinary career began with Aramark as an Assistant Manager at Bryant College. During her time at Bryant, she coordinated the food program for the New England Patriots Spring Training Camp. She ultimately joined Sodexo School Services as General Manager in Pawtucket and Foster/Gloucester school systems. In September of 2020, Ellen Mary retired as the General Manager at Sodexo School Services for the Woonsocket School District. In this position that she held for nearly 12 years, she impacted the lives of many. Ellen Mary was an advisory committee member for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank from 2016 to 2019, where she volunteered her time to bring healthy meals to those in need. During her time in Woonsocket schools, Ellen Mary created made-to-order food stations so students could enjoy new foods in a personalized way. She also founded the “Share Table” program so students in Woonsocket could share foods they did not eat with other students. Ellen Mary was very proud of her involvement with the Sodexo Future Chef Challenge. She was very involved in the school community and often provided food and money to students and employees who were in need.
When Ellen Mary arrived at URI as an 18-year-old freshman, she could never have predicted that the group of women she would meet at Weldin and Dorr halls would become her “sisters” for a lifetime. They aptly referred to themselves as the “Beauties.” Beginning in 1978 in Brookfield, CT, and continuing for the next 43 years, the “Beauties” would gather each year on April Fool's weekend. Their weekends would be full of love, laughter, and gentle teasing of each other. Ellen Mary cherished the love and friendships of the “Beauties”, Alice Mullowney, Denise (Boulie) Boule, Denise (Beanie) Eith, Julie Roberts, Kathleen (Briggsie) Briggs, Katherine (Muggins) Coker, and Susan Crossley.
Ellen Mary was the fourth of nine children of the late Robert E. and Ellen E. (Clark) Shalvey. She leaves behind four brothers, Robert Shalvey (Kathy) of Warwick, RI, John Shalvey (Kim) of Port Charlotte, FL, Joseph Shalvey of Coventry, RI, and Stephen Shalvey (Sharyn) of Pawtucket, RI; two sisters, Carol Coppage (Ted) and Maureen Gray (Steven) of Warwick, RI; and a sister-in-law, Lynne Shalvey of Warwick, RI. She was predeceased by her brother William Shalvey and sister Patricia Shalvey.
To “Aunt Ellen,” family was everything. She was very proud of her nieces and nephews Brian, Adam, Kevin, Colleen, Mary-Ellen, Keith, Danielle, Jeffrey, Jason, Ryan, Caitlin, Kelly, Craig, Kerilyn, Benjamin, Annie, Kelsy, and Kyle. During her illness, she received such joy from the love given by her grand nieces and nephews Fiona, Connor, Goldie, Noah, Gwen, Owen, Hazel, Lyla, and Natalie.
Ellen Mary loved exploring the world thru travel, especially to Europe with her nieces. They experienced England, Ireland, and France, where a lifetime of wonderful memories was made.
Mae West is quoted as saying, “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” Without a doubt, Ellen Mary did it right. Her family and friends are better people for having known her.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial in Saint Kevin Church, Sandy Lane Warwick on Wednesday at 1O a.m. Calling Hours Tuesday, 4-8 p.m. in the Frank P. Trainor & Sons Funeral Home, 982 Warwick Avenue, Warwick.
Ellen Mary was very generous with her donations to the RI Community Food Bank and in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory to RI Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence, RI 02907will be appreciated.
Burial in Saint Joseph Cemetery, West Greenwich will be private. www.trainorfh.com
