Mary Ellen Kalled

November 11, 1933 - July 6, 2021

Albany-Mary Ellen (Cunningham) Kalled, 87, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, classical pianist, died on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, with her dear family at her bedside. Mary Ellen was born in Johnson City, NY to the late Frank and Louise Cunningham. In 1956 she received her Bachelor degree in Music from Boston University School of Fine and Applied Arts. She was a longtime communicant and active member of Blessed Sacrament Church, Albany. For 26 years she devoted her energy to serving others in the food pantry and thrift shop. Her many contributions also included bringing communion to the homebound as a Eucharistic Minister, serving as President of the Rosary Guild, working at the annual bazaar and cleaning the church. The quality of her public service was recognized by the the Friends of Fontaine, and in 2018 by the NY State Senate and Assembly, when she was honored with the Senior Lifetime Achievement Award by the Capital District Senior Issues Forum. She worked for the NYS Energy office for 16 years. In her capacity as Energy Conservation Program Specialist she earned a special recognition that stated: "Mary Ellen symbolizes what public service should be all about, she simply does what she does because she cares". Her greatest pride and joy in life was her family, who loved her deeply in return. She enjoyed watching and sharing in the adventures of her children and grandchildren, summer trips to NH lakes and visits to the ocean. Her most treasured trips were with her husband to Greece and the Holy Land. She was the beloved wife of the late Emil J. Kalled; dear mother of Barbara Kalled of Wolfeboro, NH, Kevin Kalled of Rotterdam, NY, Susan Kalled of Concord, MA and the late David Kalled of Albany; mother-in-law of Michael Lucontoni and Donna Kalled; dear grandmother of Christian (deceased), Ryan, Chelsea, Victoria and Sophia; sister of late brothers Peter, Robert and John Cunningham, and is survived by several nieces, nephews and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Mary Ellen’s family Wednesday, July 14, 2021 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany, NY 12206.Please only enter the funeral home from the rear parking lot doorway; unvaccinated individuals must wear a mask and practice social distancing. Funeral services Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 10:30 am at Blessed Sacrament Church, 607 Central Ave. (Father John Bradley Way) Albany, NY 12206 where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated. The Rite of Committal will be held at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, NY immediately following the Funeral Mass. To leave a message for the family please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Mary Ellen in a special way may send contributions to Friends of Fontaine, PO Box 11376, Albany, NY 12211, which supports St. Gabriel's School in Fontaine, Haiti.