Mary Ellen Martin

Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Ellen (O'Reilly) will be held at 1:00p.m Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Gillette, Wyoming, with burial to follow in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 from 4:00p.m. - 6:00p.m. with a Vigil starting at 6:00p.m. at Gillette Memorial Chapel. Mary passed away Thursday May 15, at Close to Home Hospice after a short illness. Mary was born in Dublin Ireland on 11-29-1935 to Francis & Ellen (Brennan) O'Reilly. She had two brothers, Patrick O'Reilly, James O'Reilly and one sister, Doris (O'Reilly) Biancone.Mary attended Catholic School in Dublin where the Nuns would rap the knuckles on her left hand until she started writing with her right hand. After graduating she trained as a formal server in one the large hotels in Dublin. She lived and worked in the United Kingdom for three months and then returned to Dublin to continue working. One of her favorite pastimes was dancing at the "Four P's" ballroom where she met Airman William E. Martin in 1959. They were married on September 26, 1959. In December of that year they moved to Perrin Air Force base in Dennison, TX. The differences between Dublin and Texas were quite startling for Mary. While in Texas, Mary had three daughters, Billie, Dawn and Julie. After Bill's discharge in 1963 they relocated to Oklahoma where Bill was from. A son, Patrick joined the family in 1965.While living in Oklahoma, Mary worked as a waitress at Don's Caf in Stigler, where she made lifelong friend ships with her co-workers. She also worked as a Teacher's Aide at Stigler High School.In 1971 the family moved to Gillette, WY. Mary stood all of 5 feet tall but she had no problem reigning in rowdy oil field workers while she managed the Sands Bar. Mary also managed the Elks Restaurant & Lounge for several years and was instrumental in turning it into a top-notch dining establishment. Mary was a favorite bartender who always knew your name and your favorite beverage. Mary, along with her husband Bill worked with many of the youth sports programs in Gillette. For many years, she ran the concession stand at the Little League Fields and is still known as the Concession Lady. Mary was very involved in her children's lives. There wasn't anything that could keep her from her children's activities. That later carried on with her grandchildren until health issues slowed her down. As grandchildren and great grandchildren came along she would often be found rocking them and singing, You are My Sunshine. In her later years Mary enjoyed the bus trips to Deadwood with her "Deadwood Ladies", as she affectionately referred to them. Attending Wednesday Mass at the Senior Center was the highlight of her week. Mary was very devout in her faith and relied on that faith during difficult times. Throughout her life Mary never met a stranger. She loved visiting with everyone she met.Mary is survived by her children, Billie Cochran, Dawn (Marty) Gatlin, Julie (Walter) Goffigan and Patrick (Katrina) Martin. Grandchildren Kellen (Tara) Gatlin, Tyler Gatlin, Ryan Goffigan, Sydney (Kevin) Wilson, Scott (Jackie) George, Joshua Goffigan, Alyssa Goffigan, Spencer Goffigan, Skye Martin, Devyn Kipp, Kenyan Martin and Keara Martin. Great Grandchildren: Aidan & Jackson Gatlin, Grace & Wyatt Wilson and Rylie George. Her brothers: Patrick (Paddy) O'Reilly and James (Jim) O'Reilly and also many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill, her sister Doris Biancone and her sister-in-law Annie O'Reilly. Memorials & Condolences may be sent to Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W 5th, Gillette, WY. 82716Condolences may also be sent to www.gillettememorialchapel.comFuneral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716