Ellen Rose Male

Ellen Rose Wright Male, 87, Norway, Maine, died peacefully Wednesday, May 20, after an extended illness. Her husband the Rev. Dr. Henry A. Male was at her side. A graduate of William Smith College (B.S., Chemistry 1950) and a lifelong Episcopalian, she was known for her keen wit and sense of humor, and was never at a loss for words.

Ellen was born and raised in Montclair, NJ, the youngest of 3 children to Arthur and Anna Rose Wright. She lived in New York City with her husband while he completed his seminary study, eventually relocating to St. Mary's Parish in Keyport, NJ. While pregnant with their first child, Ellen and Henry accepted the care of parentless twin teenagers (Henry and Carol Cleary) who are part of the family today. Ellen's personality and activities with the youth at St Mary's garnered her the loving nickname of Mother Male which followed her through life.

For more than 20 years she taught eighth grade science at Abington Heights Middle School while Henry served the Church of Epiphany in Glenburn. They retired to Norway, ME in 1993 and lived on a beautiful lake - home to Ellen's beloved loons.

Ellen was pre-deceased by her daughter Margaret, her brother Dr. Thomas Wright and her sister Ann Johnson. In addition to Henry, her loving husband of 64 years, she is survived by son Henry (Fountain Hills, AZ), his wife Donna and their daughter Katie; son Mark (Providence, RI), his wife Melissa Darigan and his children Andrew Male (Newton, MA) and Ashley Childs (Cumberland, PA) and her husband Jim; the twins, Henry "Hank" Cleary (Red Bank, NJ) and his wife Nadia; and Carol "Pinky" Kubiak (Sun Lake City, AZ), her husband Gordy, and their children Lisa Kubiak (South Portland, ME) and her children Ruben and Lauren, Chris Kubiak (Canton, MI), his wife Tammy and their son Zackary. Ellen also had numerous loving nieces, nephews and their children in her life.

Ellen's witty personality is best captured by one of her favorite sayings, "I was always Wright until I married and became a Male."

Holy Eucharist will be celebrated in honor of Ellen's life on Saturday June 13, 11 a.m. at Church of the Epiphany in Glenburn. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her name to Church of the Epiphany, PO Box 189, Clarks Summit, PA 18411-0189.