Mary Ellen (Keep) Sheeley (“Elly”), 79

Surrounded by her loving family, Mary Ellen (Keep) Sheeley (“Elly”), 79, of Wareham died peacefully on February 5, 2026, after a long illness. Proud daughter of Wesley Ephraim and Mary Evalyn Keep and sister of the late Wesley Robert Keep, Elly is survived by her children Kursten Doherty and husband Joe of Waban and Petra Sheeley of Salt Lake City, Utah; grandchildren Abigail Sheeley-McDonough and Sarah Doherty; sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Jerry Atkins of Brooklyn, New York; niece and nephew, Samantha Ahdoot and Benjamin Atkins, as well as many grandnieces and grandnephews. 

Elly graduated from Braintree High School Class of 1964 and the Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing where she was president of her class. She later earned bachelor’s and master's degrees from Bridgewater State College. Elly worked at the Jordan Hospital (now Beth Israel Deaconess Plymouth) for over forty years. She began her career as a coronary care nurse, caring for some of the hospital’s most critically ill patients. Later, she turned her talents to work in quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and occupational health.

Elly loved adventure and lived life to the fullest. She was an avid traveler who found great joy in exploring the world, creating lasting memories with friends and family in places such as Japan, Italy, Spain, Australia, and Israel. A firm believer in the wonder and beauty of our own country, Elly also traveled extensively throughout the United States with her buddy Rose. They shared a particular affinity for the National Parks and American West, returning several summers for cattle herding at Butch Small's ranch in Idaho. Elly was an accomplished pianist, skilled photographer, and avid gardener. She was a superior craftswoman who made quilts for all family members to mark their milestones. She also earned a black belt in karate, drove a motorcycle, and was a “bullseye” shot at the gun range.

Of all things in life, family and friends were most precious to Elly, and she gave of herself unreservedly. Her greatest joy was in being “Chichi” to her beloved granddaughters. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, “sistie”, and auntie, creating a lasting family legacy woven of values, traditions, and love. She nurtured devoted friendships from all seasons of her life.

Raised in the Methodist Church, Elly was an active member of the Trinity Christian Church of Wareham where she volunteered at the Free Community Breakfast and a Mobile Ministry to provide food and clothing to homeless and indigent residents of New Bedford.

Services will be held at Trinity Christian Church 462 Man Street in Wareham on Friday, February 13 at 3 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Elly’s memory to Trinity Christian Church in support of their Breakfast Club community ministry or to St. Paul’s Methodist Church Mobile Ministries in New Bedford.