Racine – Mary Ellen (nee: Malboeuf) Willis, age 69, passed away peacefully at Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 following a brief struggle with COPD.

Mary was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts on November 11, 1948 to the late Henry and Mary Frances (nee: Denehy) Malboeuf. Years later, she met a young man serving his country with the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War by the name of John Allan Willis. Mary & John were united in marriage in Holyoke on July 12, 1969. Sadly, John passed away of cancer on July 25, 2017.

Always great with numbers, Mary was employed as a key punch operator at Bank One / Chase Bank, from where she retired. She was a member of the Women of the Moose. Mary enjoyed traveling – especially to Arizona with John in their RV, bracelet beading, photography, making fleece blankets for family & friends, and spoiling her beloved Shih Tzu, Cosmo.

Surviving are her son & daughter-in-law, Brian & Robin Willis; mother-in-law, Frances (nee: Castroreale) Willis; sister, Judith (Gary) LaBrecque; brother, James (Marsha) Malboeuf; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends – too numerous to mention all by name. In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by her loving son, David Willis; and father-in-law, Allen Willis.

Funeral Services celebrating Mary's life will be held on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 2:00 pm in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Sunday from 12:30 – 2:00 pm. Private interment will take place at West Lawn Memorial Park. In recognition of Mary's love for her dear canine companion Cosmo, memorials to the Shih Tzu Rescue of Central Wisconsin have been suggested.

A heartfelt note of thanks to the entire staff of Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha – especially the ICU- for their compassionate care and support given in Mary's time of need.

Service Details

Funeral Services: Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 2:00 pm in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home

Visitation: in the funeral home on Sunday from 12:30 – 2:00 pm

Interment: Private in West Lawn Memorial Park