Mary Ellen (Knichel) Straut, 83, of Windsor, beloved wife of the late Charles H. Straut, passed away peacefully on Sunday (June 7, 2009) at St. Francis Hospital with her family by her side. She was born November 3, 1925 in Wood Ridge, NJ to the late Raymond E. and Mary Ellen (McHugh) Knichel. Mary Ellen had lived in Windsor for over 56 years and was a Communicant of St. Gabriel Church, where she also sang in the Good Shepherd Choir. She was very active in raising fourteen children, creating wonderful holiday traditions, and enjoying any time that her entire extended family could get together. Mary Ellen's prayer group included her very dear friends and neighbors. She also loved quilting; a love she used to make a quilt for each of her children and grandchildren. She is survived... In addition to her husband and parents she was predeceased by a son, Benjamin Straut, and a brother, Russell Knichel. The family would like to extend special thanks to "the boss," Dorothea for all that she did for Mary during her stay at Kimberly Hall. The family also would like to thank the St. Francis Hospice group for all their compassion and care during Mary's last days. A warm and grateful thank you to Dr.'s Henderson and Mahtani for their support and constant reassurance. Family and friends may gather at the Carmon Windsor Funeral Home, 807 Bloomfield Ave., Windsor, on Thursday June 11, 9 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Gabriel Church in Windsor, at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Windsor Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Her family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 10, 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Donations in Mary Ellen's memory may be made to St. Francis Hospice, 95 Woodland St., Hartford CT 06105. For online condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome .com.

Published in The Hartford Courant on June 9, 2009