Mary Ellen Hynd

The fulfilling and satisfying earthly life of Mary Ellen (Blondeel) Hynd came to a peaceful, but sudden, end as one of God’s good and faithful servants was called home on June 11, 2022, to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and loved ones who predeceased her. She had been a resident at Friendship Manor in Rock Island, Illinois.

Mary Ellen was born on April 23, 1936, to Albert and Margaret (Blomme) Blondeel in Annawan, Illinois. She attended Mineral Community Consolidated Schools, graduating in 1954. Mary Ellen elected a life of service as a nurse, continuing her schooling at St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Kewanee. After her graduation in 1957, she was employed at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Rock Island for two years. She met William Dale Hynd at a friend’s wedding. They had a vintage throwback courtship that initially thrived through letter-writing while Bill was in the U.S. Navy and deployed in the Pacific. After Bill returned to Illinois, he and Mary Ellen continued dating, became engaged, and on August 2, 1958, were married in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sheffield, Illinois. Bill predeceased Mary Ellen on December 25, 2020.

Family life meant everything to both Mary Ellen and Bill and as it turned out it was a robust home they created. Mary Ellen gave birth to six daughters between the years of 1959 and 1969, and happy and busy times ensued within their house on 46th Street in Moline. It was an abode too tiny for half-a-dozen sisters, but it overflowed with love, blessings, and an abundance of female dialogue that was both entertaining and stunning to visitors, in particular the six future sons-in-law. A lifetime of fond memories was created in the home. As the matriarch, Mary Ellen cherished being a mother and was very involved in her daughters’ activities, serving as a school organizer and a leader of Girl Scout Troop #130 at McKinley School in Moline. She was an accomplished seamstress and made many articles of clothing for her girls, including matching toddler play outfits and dresses as well as middle school and high school dance dresses, and even a wedding gown for one of her daughters. Mary Ellen was also skilled in crocheting and made each of her daughters and grandchildren beautiful blankets that they received upon their high school graduation. Through her long life she also enjoyed raising and caring for the family pets, both dogs and cats; the cats began with Puffy and Checkers and ended with Nutmeg and Ginger.

Mary Ellen went back to work as a registered nurse and medical transcriptionist at Illini Hospital in Silvis between 1978 and 1993. After retiring she touched many lives through her volunteer work. Mary Ellen was a coordinator for the Elder Watch program with the Moline Police Department, was an APRIS reader for WVIK Radio, member of CKARP at Christ the King Catholic Church in Moline, and served as Secretary on the Board of Directors for nearly seven years at the Summit Ridge Condominiums after she and Bill moved there in the mid-2000s. While a parishioner at both St. Mary’s (Moline) and St. Anne (East Moline) Catholic churches, she was a music cantor, and that love of music has lived on in her daughters’ lives from their school years to present day. Mary Ellen enjoyed reading, somehow fitting that in with her sewing, crocheting and spending time with family.

Mary Ellen is survived by her daughters and their spouses: Theresa and Glen Moss of Dayton, Ohio; Mary and Cliff Schrock of Stratford, Connecticut; Eileen and John Saksa of Westmont, Illinois; Patricia Scott of Moline; Karen and Dan Fitzgerald of Barrington, Illinois, and Janet and Rory Gibson of Bradenton, Florida. She is also survived by her ten beloved grandchildren (and spouses): Nathan (Angielique); Maureen (Kevin); Stuart (fiancée Kathryn); Joelle (Josh); Andrew (Emily); Christopher; Katherine; Alexander; Elizabeth; and Sarah; nine great-grandchildren with one on the way; three nieces and two nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by son-in-law, Anthony Scott, and older sister, Lorraine Hurst.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 13, in Christ the King Catholic Church, 3209 60th Street, Moline, with The Rev. Donald Levitt officiating, followed by interment in St. Mary’s Mausoleum, East Moline. In lieu of flowers, plants, or statuary, memorials may be given to a charity of the donor’s choice.

As we mourn our mom’s passing, we recognize her life well-lived with love, care, and generosity, and will always remember and celebrate her life with joy and gratitude. We invite family and friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.