Mary Ellen George

She was born with a twin Gary Allen who did not end up surviving. Her Father Arthur was in the Army Air Corps which eventually became the Air Force and he reached the final rank of Warrant Officer IV (which was a rank only given to 200 servicemen in America). Next the family was stationed at Wright AFB, OH where her brothers Arthur W Stellwag II (Butch) and Carl T Stellwag (Buster) were born. Afterward Art Sr was sent to Japan and the rest of the family went to live with other family in Saginaw Michigan until he returned. Next they were stationed at Turner AFB, GA before landing in Goodyear AZ.

Mary went to Agua Fria High School there and was very active in Jobe's daughters as well. She also went to Phoenix Junior College.The next chapter for the family was a big change as they were stationed at Sembach AFB in Germany. They did not live on base but, instead, lived on the economy and resided above a grocery store in Drehenthalerhof. Mary worked as an accountant in the financial office where Tom was the controller and that is where she met Tom. Originally, Tom mistakenly took Mary for a local German girl instead of an American! After working hard to win her affections, the rest was history and Mary became Mrs Mary Ellen George joining in matrimony with Thomas F George son of Edwin and May George. They traveled all over Europe on a dollar a day budget, eating shrimp in Madrid, touring the France countryside, and exploring all over Europe in their little red convertible sports car. They continued their passion for travel and returned to the United States living in Lancing, Michigan where Tom completed his masters degree at Michigan State University. In the next stop the family moved to Wichita Falls, TX where their lives would change forever as they welcomed their son Mark George on November 29, 1968. Mary and Tom would have one more son who passed during child birth and almost took Mary from us. Mary always said "God decided that Mark needed our full attention!" The family needed a solution to how they could transition to their new station in Fort Walton Beach, Florida and wanted to purchase a new house but needed a place to stay in the interim. 4 year old Mark came up with the idea to get a travel trailer and that is exactly what they did! They traveled to Florida pulling the 26ft travel trailer which also became their residence for several months until they found their home. They would use this travel trailer for many family trips Coast to coast and back several times. It also brought them to their next station in Duluth, MN at a special post at the international airport. The family got their first real taste of snow, living in the minus 100 degree winters there. Even though they enjoyed many fun times in the snow, the family knew the cold weather was not for them. Next the travel trailer would take them to their next station at mountain home AFB in Idaho where Tom would retire as Major. One last move, the travel trailer took them to their final residence in Glendale, AZ where Mark would finish high school at Moon Valley H S. Mark would meet Sharyn Cook (Now Jensen) and have two children Heather George and Kaitlyn George. Heather eventually married Jordan Fangman and had three children Ryker Lee Fangman and twins Cade Eugene and Ben Thomas Fangman. Kaitlyn has met a great partner, Bo O'Neal who is loved like family and have our special Bruce (French bulldog). Mary was the matriarch that was pivotal in the lives of everyone she met. She was always so caring and willing to help with anything. As they were amazing parents, they carried this forward and Mary and Tom were also heavily involved in their granddaughter's lives. They created unforgettable memories, with mermaid watch, teaching swimming at the YMCA, train park picnics, and base adventures. Mary was loved by everyone she met and is already greatly missed. Rest in peace GG ♥️ the K, the GKs, the GGK's and the rest of the family and friends.

A visitation for Mary will be held Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:45AM at Sunland Mortuary Lakeside Chapel, 15826 North Del Webb Blvd, Sun City, AZ 85351. Following the visitation will be a committal service from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Sunland Cemetery Garden of Valor.