Mary Ellen was born on March 29, 1935 in Manhattan, NY to the late Harry B. and Virginia (Mallon) Nienstedt. Growing up, Mary Ellen lived in Boonton, Convent Station, and Mendham Boro and graduated from Morristown High School in 1953. She then earned her Bachelor’s Degree at Duquesne University in 1957, where she was the first female member of the rifle team. Before settling in Sussex County in 1978, Mary Ellen and the family moved often while Jim (Seamus) was in the Navy. Prior to her retirement in 2008, she performed social work with Progressive Health of NJ. Mary Ellen was a member of Council of Catholic Women and a longtime member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church in Swartswood and The Secular Franciscan Order. Mary Ellen was bestowed the Vivere Christus Award by Bishop Arthur Joseph Serratelli in 2009.
Mary Ellen is survived by her children, Dr. James R. Reynolds, Maureen E. Konecnik (Gary), Michael A. Reynolds (Theresa), Sean P. Reynolds (Mary), Peter F. Reynolds (Jennifer) and Elinor Jean Richard (Bob); her grandchildren, Alison Boutillette (Andy), Bryan Reynolds, Stephanie Kennedy, Justin Fritz, Garrett Reynolds, Connor Konecnik (Shannon), Amanda Clark (John), Sydney Reynolds, Molly Richard, Victoria Richard, Celia Reynolds, Jocelyn Reynolds and Owen Richard; her great-grandchildren, Kenna Boutillette, Carmella DeBernardi; her sister, Virginia Dudys of Mendham, NJ, brother-in-law, Richard R. Reynolds of Rockaway, NJ and many loving nieces and nephews. Along with her parents, Mary Ellen was predeceased by her daughter, Thérèse A. Reynolds; her grandson, Frank Fiorvante; her former husband, James C. Reynolds, her brother, James B. Nienstedt, her brother-in-law, Craig A. Reynolds, and sister-in-law, Dr. Leslie Jane Reynolds.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Roman Catholic Church, 203 Swartswood Rd, Newton, NJ 07860. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Morristown, NJ for immediate family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made out to Our Lady of Mt Carmel Roman Catholic Church, 203 Swartswood Rd, Newton, NJ 07860 or Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave, Newton, NJ 07860. Condolences can be offered to the family online www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com
