Mary Ellen Baumann, age 65 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died suddenly on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at her shore home in Toms River, NJ.

Born in Elizabeth, NJ, December 24, 1954, Mary Ellen earned her BA from Kean College and later an MA from the University of Indiana in communications.

For many years Mary Ellen worked for Verizon in the product development field. A trailblazer at Verizon, she was at the forefront of the wireless industry and helped deploy the first data technologies. Her calm demeanor, coupled with her dedicated work ethic, made her a true leader in her chosen field. Her colleagues fondly recall her ability of consensus building, as well as her always being the first one to fight for the rights of the customers, who were always put first.

Work was important to her, but the real light in Mary Ellen’s life was the light that shone through the eyes of her husband, Eric, whenever he looked at her. It was in Syracuse, NY, at a modified dirt racing event, where Eric would first meet Mary Ellen as she was wearing a competitors jacket when she first got his attention. After letting her know that he was not necessarily a fan of that jacket, she disappeared, returning shortly with his team jacket on; their love would blossom slowly from there, and they would marry on April 22, 1989.

The couple shared everything and simply put, they completed each other. Both hard workers, they had ‘fun’ with one another. Eric fondly recalls that Mary Ellen took care of him in every way possible. She was an amazing cook and insisted on keeping a meticulously clean house, earning her the nickname of ‘Martha Stewart’ by some of her friends. She always reminded him to live each day to the fullest, and to love with his whole heart, which he happily did for her on a daily basis.

Mary Ellen and Eric traveled to many places, soaking up the sun, dancing, and enjoying family and friends. Mary Ellen had a keen ability to make friends wherever she went. Having a persona that was based on natural gentleness and compassion, Mary Ellen easily broke down any barriers anyone might have, resulting in her forming many deep relationships. Although she did not have any children herself, she had a “motherly touch” which found her comforting and helping many people navigate life’s path just a bit easier.

With a faith that could move mountains, Mary Ellen attended church each week and lived her life trying to model the love that Jesus Christ put forth on his own journey. Down to her core, she felt that helping and caring for others was one of the reasons God had put her on Earth.

Retiring two years ago allowed Mary Ellen to enjoy more time down at her second home in Toms River, where she quickly became immersed in the community making many friends. She enjoyed boating regularly and was known to walk an average of four miles each day, appreciating nature and the simple beauty of life.

In Matthew 5:3-10, known to many as “The Beatitudes”, we read: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Though Mary Ellen’s sudden passing is like someone turning out the light when it is needed the most, we are reminded that her light still shines through each one of us reading this life legacy. And though our hearts are seemingly ripped, Mary Ellen would surely want all of us to remember the lessons taught by the aforementioned reading in that we must never loose faith, and that we will be reunited again if we hold onto that faith no matter the circumstances. Death can never destroy the light that Mary Ellen still continues to shine for each person who was blessed to have met her, and she will certainly never, ever be forgotten, but remembered always, with love.

Surviving are her cherished and devoted husband, Eric Baumann; her brothers, Norman and his wife, Lorraine McGarvey, and Victor McGarvey; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Joseph and Debra Baumann and Brian and Bridgette Baumann; a niece, Jill and her husband, Paul Lance; several extended family members; and many dear friends.

Mary Ellen will lie in repose on Sunday, September 20, 2020 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. in the chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Mark Kreder at Saint Justin the Martyr Roman Catholic Church, 975 Fischer Boulevard, Toms River, NJ 08753, will take place on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Everyone is encouraged to meet directly at the church on Tuesday morning beginning at 10:45 a.m.

There will be an informal celebration of life on Saturday, September 26, 2020 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at the Flemington Moose Lodge, 81 Barley Sheaf Road, Flemington, NJ 08822. Please stop by anytime to relax and continue to share Mary Ellen stories!

Kindly note that masks and social distancing are required at all funeral related events. Please follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival at the funeral home and at the church.

Interment at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Flemington, NJ, will be private.

Please visit Mary Ellen’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

Memorial contributions in Mary Ellen’s honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Please click HERE to be taken to her personal and secure donation page. For those who wish to mail a contribution, please do so by making a check payable to ‘In Memory Of’, noting ‘Mary Ellen Baumann’ in the memo, and mailing to: In Memory Of, P.O. Box 5472, Charlottesville, VA 22905.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”