Mary Ellen Bose of Odessa (Tampa), Florida passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, July 29, 2023 with loving family at her side, while valiantly battling ovarian cancer. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, co-worker and a dear friend to many.
Mary Ellen was born on September 4, 1955 to the late Martin A. and Mary (Durkin) Schultz of Park Ridge (Stevens Point), Wisconsin. She grew up in Stevens Point, graduating from Pacelli (Maria) High School in 1973. After receiving a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point in 1977, she attended Case Western Reserve University, where she received her Master’s Degree in Nutrition in 1979. Mary Ellen began her career as a dietitian for the Veterans Administration, working at V.A. Hospitals in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida. Eventually she transitioned to working on computer systems in IT, and provided software support to VA Hospitals nationwide. She retired from the V.A. in 2018, after 41 years of service.
Mary Ellen met Ryan Logan Bose, formerly of Mountain Lakes, NJ, when they were both recently out of college and working in Tampa, Florida. They were married in Stevens Point on July 7, 1984. Their careers took them from Florida to Pennsylvania and NJ where they were near Ryan’s family and where they welcomed son Andrew (AJ). They moved back to the Tampa area in the late 90’s and fulfilled their dream of living on a lake. In each of the various neighborhoods where she lived, Mary Ellen always developed a large group of close friends. She much enjoyed athletic activities such as skiing, volleyball, golf, cycling and jazzercise. Ever willing to lend a helping hand, and she was always eager for the next adventure.
When it became apparent that Mary Ellen would not recover from cancer, A.J. and his fiancée, Valerie Borelly, decided to get married in her hospital room at Tampa General. On July 27, 2023, they said their vows in front of family, friends, and Hospital staff. The Hospital chaplain presiding at the ceremony said he had never been to such a wonderful and magical wedding in his 40 years of conducting wedding services. We are so grateful to the many staff members at Tampa General who helped ensure that Mary Ellen could be there for her son’s wedding, and that the ceremony was as beautiful and special as it could be.
In addition to her husband Ryan and son Andrew, Mary Ellen is survived by her brothers Charles (Kay), Richard (Vicki), and Daniel (Patty) Schultz, sister-in-law Kay Schultz, brothers-in-law Ranjan (Pia) and Raj Bose, sisters-in-law Indrani (Paul) Malinowski, Indira Winders, and Krishna (John) King, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her brother Thomas Schultz.
Mary Ellen was so proud of her son, A.J., for all he accomplished in school, sports, and in his work life. As AJ moved on to his own life in Ft Lauderdale, and with Mary Ellen enjoying her retirement, she and Ryan started to explore the many state parks in Florida with their small RV and Mary Ellen’s constant companions, her chihuahuas Chase and Chaz.
Everyone who met Mary Ellen soon grew to love her and her positive “let’s do it” attitude. She was there to catch the football whenever A.J. needed to practice his throws. She joined her nieces and nephews tubing behind the boat when they were afraid of tubing alone. When it looked like the neighborhood’s annual Christmas Eve tradition of lining driveways with luminaries was going to fall by the wayside, there was Mary Ellen buying the supplies and sending out notices to everyone a few days before so the holiday tradition would continue. When anyone needed a golf partner, or someone to train for that 100-mile bike ride, or just a reliable partner for Jazzercize, Mary Ellen always said “yes.” For many years, Mary Ellen would host a Thanksgiving feast for friends and neighbors in Florida whose families were far away in northern states. The first response when her Wisconsin relatives would ask to come visit in March was, “what night should we have the party and should it have a special theme?” Did she hesitate because her niece was coming at the same time and bringing a group of women from her college hockey team? Of course not! Mary Ellen truly lived by “the more the merrier” credo. Her untimely passing leaves a huge void in the lives of all the friends and family.
We would like to give heartfelt thanks to Mary Ellen’s wonderful friends including Judy Berglund, Lisa Garrett, Dawn Zamoznick, Sue Brzezinski, Cheri Jensen, and the many neighbors and friends who did so much for Mary Ellen and her family as she struggled with her recovery from chemo treatments and the silent spread of cancer.
The family requests that any gifts be given in her honor to the American Cancer Society, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, or a charity of your choosing.
A Celebration of Life gathering for family and friends of Mary Ellen will be held on September 16th from 3:30 to 6:30 at the Carrollwood County Club, Tampa, FL.
