Mary Ellen  Danko Carney

PEKIN - Mary Ellen Carney, 60, of Pekin died at 12:53 a.m. Monday, Jan. 31, 2011, at her home.

Mary Ellen was born May 25, 1950, in Streator, Ill., to Walter and Helen (Smith) Danko. She married Randy Carney on June 12, 1982, in Pekin, Ill.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Surviving are her husband, Randy of Pekin; two brothers, John Danko of River Forest, Ill., and Dan (Marilyn) Danko of Downers Grove, Ill.; and her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Gloria and Bob Carney of Pekin.

Mary Ellen was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Peoria.

She was a case worker for the Illinois Department of Public Aid from 1974 to 1977. She then was a social worker and more recently special education coordinator for the Tazewell Mason Counties Special Education Association in Pekin, retiring in 2009. She then worked part time as a coordinator for Robein School District 85, last working in October 2010.

Mary Ellen graduated from Streator High School in 1968. She received her bachelor's degree in political science from University of Wisconsin in 1972. She received her master's from University of Illinois in 1977 and administrator certificate from Illinois State University in 2001.

She was a member and past board member of the YWCA in Pekin, the YWCA Reserves and past president of Delta Kappa Gamma.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 4, 2011, at Sacred Heart Church in Peoria. Father Larry Zurek will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Henderson Funeral Home in Pekin. Cremation will be accorded after the services.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.