Mary Ellen Howland McCann, 85, a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend and a longtime resident of Rumson, passed away Jan. 21, 2025.
She was born Oct. 16, 1939, to Hartson and Mary Gilligan Howland in Neptune. The Howland roots reached deep into the history of Monmouth County, a fact she took immense pride in. But her lineage extended far beyond just Monmouth County, intertwining with the very history of America itself. Her ancestor, John Howland, was one of the earliest American settlers, arriving on the Mayflower in 1620. The story of young John Howland has been recounted in several books, most notably “The Boy Who Fell Off the Mayflower.” The Howland name was woven into the earliest tapestries of America and the early colonies.
As a child, the precocious Mary Ellen lived her youth growing up in Rumson, on the northern New Jersey shore. She loved the outdoors and the beach but also enjoyed the niceties of life, like prepping her uniform and school clothes to look their best when she attended Holy Cross School in Rumson, Red Bank Catholic High School, and Dunbarton College of the Holy Cross in Washington, D.C.
After graduating from Dunbarton, she began a teaching career but retired upon marrying the love of her life, John Francis McCann. They wed on a beautiful August afternoon in 1962. Like many of her dearest memories, Mary Ellen eagerly shared vivid, descriptive stories of her wedding day with her children and later, with her treasured grandchildren.
John and Mary Ellen settled in River Plaza but eventually moved to Bingham Avenue in Rumson, where they spent the majority of their married life. They welcomed four children into the world and lovingly provided them with every opportunity to succeed and make the most of their lives. Family was always paramount to both John and Mary Ellen, though friends came a close second, and they cherished spending time with all their friends and loved ones at Monmouth Beach Bath and Tennis Club, Navesink Country Club and in Vero Beach, Florida.
From a young age, Mary Ellen had an unparalleled affection for traveling. One trip produced a photo of Mary Ellen sitting atop a camel beside the Great Pyramid of Giza, which became legendary within the family. She and John shared a passion for travel and spent time together exploring the world, including Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.
John and Mary Ellen were married just shy of 50 years when John passed in 2010.
Mary Ellen, always strong in faith as a devout Catholic, served on the altar guild at Holy Cross Church. She spent many years enriching communities and volunteering with the Junior League of Monmouth County. Mary Ellen was an accomplished and prolific artist, a talented gardener, and a phenomenal chef. She enjoyed playing bridge and Saturday morning tennis with her friends. Her golf skills were exceptional, and during one trip to New Zealand, she and John accomplished the rare feat of both scoring holes-in-one while playing a round of golf together.
Mary Ellen, affectionately known as M.E. by her grandchildren, is survived by her children, Maureen Conery, Darragh O’Donnell, Kevin McCann and Jessica Kelly, son-in-law Christopher O’Donnell, and her seven beloved grandchildren, Joseph and his wife Amanda, Ryan, Emily, Jake, Delaney, Liam and Riley.
She was predeceased by her parents, Hartson and Mary Howland, her dear husband John, and her son-in-law Kevin Conery.
Visitation and a Mass of Christian Burial were held Jan. 25, 2025, at Holy Cross Church in Rumson.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Sisters of Mercy at sistersofmercy.org.
The article originally appeared in the February 6 – 12, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
