Mary Ellen Hanrahan

Mary Ellen Hanrahan, 57, of Albany, died Wednesday, March 16, 2005 at the Community Hospice Inn of St. Peter's Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer.

Mary Ellen was born in Rutland, Vermont. She was the daughter of Madeline Faye Hanrahan of Albany and the late Honorable Hugh H. Hanrahan. She earned a Masters degree in Social Welfare from the State University of New York at Albany where she also completed her undergraduate degree. Mary Ellen was a Certified Social Worker; she began her career at Albany Medical Center where she served as Director of the Patient and Family Counseling Service. She spent the latter half of her career working in managed health care. She was employed by Capital District Physicians' Health Plan of Albany and earlier by Community Health Plan of Latham. Mary Ellen also maintained a private practice as a therapist.

Mary Ellen is survived by her brothers Hugh Hanrahan of Albany, Frank Hanrahan of Miami, Florida, and Roddy Hanrahan of Charlotte, North Carolina; her sister Janet Hanrahan O'Connell, husband Dan and son Thomas O'Connell of Boston, Massachusetts; and her sister Kate Hanrahan, husband Jake, daughter Sarah and son Roddy Gibbs of Indiana, Pennsylvania; along with a large group of friends who loved her dearly.

Funeral services will be Monday morning at 9:00 at NewComer-Cannon Family Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd. Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave) then to Holy Cross Church, Albany at 10:00 where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours will be Sunday from 3 to 8 pm at the funeral home. Interment will be in Albany Rural Cemetery.

At the request of family and in lieu of flowers, those who wish may make contributions in Mary Ellen's memory to the Community Hospice of Albany 445 New Karner Rd. Albany NY 12205.