Marie Ellen Ecsy

Mary (Marie) Ellen Ecsy, age 86, of Highland, Indiana, joined the choirs of heaven on Thursday, August 3, 2023. Mary Ellen was the beloved mother of Anne Marie (Hill) Shaffer, Julius Ecsy and Elizabeth Ecsy, son-in-law Michael Shaffer, and grandmother of Caitlyn Hill, Matthew Hill, Nicholas Ecsy and Taylor Ecsy. She leaves behind many cousins who considered her to be their sister and was a dear friend to many. Mary Ellen Crouch was born on September 14, 1936, to Alfred and Elsie Crouch. She had two brothers: Alfred James “Jimmy” Crouch and Richard Crouch, who both preceded her in death. Mary Ellen started her school years at the Holy Trinity Hungarian Catholic Church school in East Chicago and then graduated from high school at St. Joseph’s Hill Academy in Staten Island, New York. Mary Ellen had lifelong friendships with her Hungarian church school friends. She was married to Julius “Gyula” Ecsy on November 18, 1961. They had their first two children while living in Hammond and moved to Highland in 1972, where their third child was born. Mary Ellen worked in several places, including Inland Steel and Community Hospital, where many of her coworkers became her dear friends. Mary Ellen was a dedicated Catholic and an eighty-year member of the Holy Trinity Hungarian Catholic Church of East Chicago until it closed in 2016. There she was a member of the choir, rosary circle, noodle club and church council, as well as a cantor for the English mass. She was then a member of Holy Trinity Croatian Catholic Church of East Chicago and participated in the choir there as well. Mary Ellen was an avid Scrabble player and was in a Scrabble club at a local library for many years. Additionally, she loved to garden at her home in Highland and had a beautiful yard full of perennial flowers and hostas. Mary Ellen had a passion for singing hymns and praise with her beautiful voice. Her children cherish memories of her singing almost everywhere — in the choir loft, in the car, when doing dishes and ironing, and while gardening in her yard. Her voice brought joy to those who heard her sing. She also had a deep love for animals, especially dogs. She rescued several dogs in her life and loved them dearly. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 from 4 p.m. until the time of the funeral until 6 p.m. at Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, Indiana. A private family burial will be on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at Elmwood Cemetery in Hammond, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to HospiceCalumet.org or to HumaneIndiana.org.www.burnsfuneral.com

Marie Ellen Ecsy

September 14, 1936 - August 3, 2023