of Little Rock, AR
October 16, 1998 - February 11, 2015
Mary Ellen Pate, 16, of North Little Rock, Arkansas, was promoted to a new life on Wednesday, February 11, 2015, after a courageous and lengthy battle with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).
Born on October 16, 1998, in Birmingham, Alabama, Mary Ellen is survived by her loving and devoted parents, Tracy Bair Pate and Tyler Pate; her maternal grandmother, Doris Huggs Bair of Hot Springs; maternal aunts and uncles, Tim (Laura) Bair of Lowell and Terry Bair of Hot Springs; paternal aunts and uncles, Tony (Cindy) Pate, Tracy (Kim) Pate, and Sherrill Pate Dunn, all of Hot Springs; two cousins, Brian Pate and Austin Dunn of Hot Springs; a wide circle of friends from her school and dance communities; her beloved cats, Phoebe and Mamacat; and was preceded in death by her pot-bellied pig, Petey.
A sophomore honor student at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas, Mary Ellen was a spirited member of the MSM/Catholic High School varsity cheer squad. Mary Ellen loved to dance and was privileged to work with a number of talented dance teachers and competed in national dance competitions during her fourteen year dance career. She enjoyed traveling with her family, and while Orlando, Florida, and its theme parks were like a second home, Mary Ellen also loved traveling abroad.
Visitation for Mary Ellen Pate is from 5 7 P.M., Sunday, February 15, 2015, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211, (501)224-8300. A celebration of Mary Ellen's life will be held at 6:00 P.M., Wednesday, February 18, 2015, in the McAuley Life Center at Mount Saint Mary Academy, 3224 Kavanaugh Boulevard, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Memorials can be made in Mary Ellen Pate's name to The Anthony School, 7700 Ohio Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72227; Mount Saint Mary Academy, 3224 Kavanaugh Boulevard, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72205; or The Listening Center at Arkansas Children's Hospital Foundation, 1 Children's Way Slot 661, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202.
PLEASE NOTICE CHANGE IN SERVICE DATE DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.
Hard to belive that it's been almost a year! I think about you all the time and only find comfort in knowing that you're in a better place. Dance on baby girl, dance on........
Our hearts are breaking for your family. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cindy & Russell
I LOVE You so Much MARY ELLEN. You are my Heart and World. May you rest in peace. LOVE YOU. DANCE on & Fly High.
We are Raven Grant's grand parents.We will always cherish the memories of Raven's friendship with Mary Ellen.Our prayers are with your family at this time.
Deepest sympathy Tracy and Tyler. We continue to lift you up in prayer and ask for God's peace and comfort during this very difficult time.
David, Becky and Molly Lane
I prayed more than I've ever prayed before, Mary Ellen. I will continue to pray for your family and friends. It was truly an honor to have known you and been your ballet teacher for a short while. You truly were one of the smartest young ladies I've encountered. God bless you, sweet girl.
ME brought so much joy to you, her parents, and others around her. May you find comfort in knowing how many lives she touched.
I love yall so much I'm glad I had the chance to grow up with Mary Ellen and everyday we spent together was a day filled with mysteries and wonders Mary ellen and I had to solve. I never thought it would end so soon I always thought we would grow old together. But ,on the bright side she is in a better place and she will forever be in my heart till the day I die and we meet again!
We followed Mary Ellen ' s hard fight on FB and offer prayers of comfort to you and family in the days ahead.
Paul and Gwyn.
Tracy.
I haven't saw you sine Terry Don and i were in high school together . I am so sorry for your lose. I know
your heart is breaking. Mary is a beautiful soul and i know she left an impression on this earth with her family, friends, and teachers. God bless you and your husband.
Deborah Baker.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will remember Mary Ellen as a bright, beautiful, smiling, graceful, sweet student. She was kind to all and will be missed by all who had the honor to know her.
April Hesselbein
4th-5th Grade Science Teacher
The Anthony School
It was such an honor to care for Mary Ellen. She was an amazing young lady. Her strength, her quick wit, her fight, and the way she gave 110% in everything that she did, made a huge impression on everyone who meet her. The world is a much grayer place without Mary Ellen, but she made her mark well. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
My deepest sympathy . I will keep the family in my prayers
Words cannot express the sorrow that I feel. Mary Ellen certainly was a beautiful gift from God, and there is comfort in having had her as a part of our lives. Our continued thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Thank you so much for allowing me the pleasure of taking care of such a wonderful young lady. Mary Ellen made such an impact on me. I will remember her always. She will be greatly missed by so many. Prayers and love.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Coleman, RN
Mary Ellen was a gorgeous soul. She touched so many with her gracefulness and caring ways. She is well loved and will truly be missed. Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.
-Ky la Barkins
Former Dancer a North Little Rock School of Dance
Please accept our heartfelt sympathies. We pray for God's continual strength, peace and comfort for you both all the days of your life. You were blessed with a beautiful talented child and I pray those memories will sustain you and comfort you in the days ahead.
I am so sorry for your loss. Mary Ellen was a beautiful, strong fighter. I know she is dancing again. I loved caring for her and it was wonderful to get to know her and her sweet family. Praying for you all.
Heaven has gained a beautiful angel. May you find comfort in knowing that Mary Ellen is dancing for The Lord, without pain or tears.
Lifting you up in prayer,
Diana Ragan
Psalm 30:10-12
That was a beautiful tribute that KARK did on our precious Mary Ellen. I am so happy that the viewers who didn't know her got to see what a remarkable person she was.
The Ward Family, especially Ian Ward who graduated The Anthont School with ME, send most Holy Payer to Mary Ellen's parents, family and friends. Mary Ellen, we know Heaven gained a new dancing Angel. You will be missed and forever loved by many.
My heart breaks Mary Ellen left us so early and I am devastated for her family's loss of this most precious young lady. There are no words I can express how sorry I feel for you all. Please know that many people have been praying for you and will continue to pray for you.
So sorry for your loss, know that your family has been and will continue to be in our prayers. I hope that in some way you might be comforted by the fact that we will meet Mary Ellen again in perfect health. It has been a privilege to get to know your family during this trying time. God bless you all.
Continued thoughts and prayers.
Tracy & Tyler,
Our hearts go out to you during this very difficult time. Mary Ellen was a beautiful girl inside and out. She was the doll of our neighborhood. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God be with you now and always....... We love you!
Sue, William and Adam