Mary Ellen Detz, 89, formerly of Old Newport Street, Sheatown section of Newport Township, passed away Friday March 8, 2024 at Third Avenue Health & Rehabilitation Skilled Nursing Facility, Kingston.

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-six years, Dr. Raymond L. Detz, on January 1, 2013.

Born May 12, 1934 in Hanover Township, she was a daughter of the late John and Mary Mikluscak Kovalchik

A graduate of Hanover Memorial High School, class of 1952, Mary Ellen continued her education at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital School of Nursing, becoming a Registered Nurse, and worked for General Hospital. After marriage, she assisted her husband at his dental practice in Ashley. She also volunteered as a nurse for the Red Cross blood drives.

She was a member of St. Faustina Kowalska Parish, Nanticoke, and previously Holy Child Church, Sheatown, until its closing. In her spare time, Mary Ellen enjoyed quilting, sewing and baking.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by brothers, John Kovalchik Jr. and Robert Kovalchik; and a son-in-law, Thomas E. Mecca Jr.

She is survived by four children; sons, Raymond Detz Jr. and his wife, Anne Marie, Wilkes-Barre; and Robert Detz, Greencastle, Pa.; daughters, Marie Mecca, Moosic; and Jean O'Malley and her husband, William, Dallas; grandchildren, Thomas Mecca and his wife Julia, Christina Mecca, and William and Colleen O'Malley; sisters, Janet DeCaestecker and Michelle Kovalchik; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will begin 12:30 p.m. Thursday March 14, from Dinelli Family Funeral Home, 170 E. Broad Street, Nanticoke, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 p.m. in St. Faustina Kowalska Parish, 520 S. Hanover St., Nanticoke.

Interment will follow in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Sheatown.

Viewing and visitation hours will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Faustina Kowalska Parish, Nanticoke, and Hospice of the Sacred Heart https://www.hospicesacredheart.org/donate.