Mary Ellen Garrow

MARY ELLEN GARROW

Mary Ellen Garrow, 91, of Rutland passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on September 20, 2026. She was born on October 23, 1934 in Hydeville, VT to the late Charles and Mary (Mulqueeny) Coombs.

As a teenager, Mary Ellen found the most loving of foster families, who gave her the support that allowed her to graduate from Mount St. Joseph Academy in 1952. She later attended classes at Castleton State University with the goal of becoming a teacher. She enjoyed her early jobs at Hal’s Coffee Shop and Dick’s Dress Company (as a bookkeeper), but she absolutely loved her later 18 years as an instructional aide with the Rutland City Public Schools. She was especially proud to have been a founding staff member of the Alternative Education Program. Her heart would swell when students she had over 30 years ago would still say hello to her on the street. She could have had many more years as an aide but she prioritized being home with her five children until they were of school age. It meant many personal sacrifices, but she felt her family was well worth every one of them.

Mary Ellen’s greatest joy in life was her family and her life revolved around them. Her sharp mind and financial acumen could have led to a career like those of Judge Judy or Mary Barra, but her dream was much simpler: to be the best mother and grandmother possible. And she achieved it in spades.

Mary Ellen is survived by daughter Therese (Joseph) Gilligan of Goose Creek, SC and their children Joseph (Jamie) Gilligan, Angela (Eric) West and Elizabeth Miller; son Gerald (‘G.J.’) (Jennifer) Garrow, Jr. of Rutland and their children Brent Garrow, Brittany Garrow and Bethany (Sean) Maguire; son Stephen (Karen) Garrow of Rutland; daughter Christine Garrow of Vergennes; and son Thomas (Erika) Garrow of Cottonwood, AZ and his daughter Maddison Garrow and their children Brieanna (Austin) Belmont and Rachel (James) Williams; and great-grandchildren Dawson Coleman, Gracie West, Garrett West, Owen Miller, Elle Miller, Eden Gilligan, Alwyn Williams, Rowan Belmont and Easton Maguire; and great-great-grandchild Elijah Coleman.

Mary Ellen is also survived by her sisters, Margaret Bushey of Granville, NY and Kathleen (David) Knipes of Rutland, as well as close friends and many loving nieces and nephews.

Dear loved ones who went before Mary Ellen and are happily reunited with her now include her beloved husband of 67 years, Gerald J. Garrow, Sr.; her first grandchild, April Gilligan Coleman; her siblings James, Arthur, George, Barbara, Patricia, and Hannah; and her best friend, Winifred Zingali. Very special people in her life who also pre-deceased her are Olive and Romeo Mayo, Philip and Velta Thayer, and Paul and Helene Thayer.

The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 2, at Christ the King Church in Rutland. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Rutland and a reception will follow. There are no calling hours.

Mary Ellen was blessed with the most caring and wonderful private caregiver in Ina Cassidy, and the nurses at VNA & Hospice, especially Francetta Tice and Heather Rogers. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, 7 Albert Cree Drive, Rutland, VT 05701, vermontvisitingnurses.org.

The Tossing Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.