Obituary of Mary Ellen Rousseau

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Mary Ellen Rousseau (née Shortt) announce her passing on Friday, February 6^th, at the age of 84 years.

She leaves to mourn, with fond and loving memories, her husband: Dominic; children: Tara, Kieran (Carol Ann Colbourne), and Sarah (Steven Best); grandchildren: Reed, Regan, and Conor; siblings: Sarah Mooney (PJ), Ann Sinan, and Patsy Leavy, Tony Shortt (Mary), Tom Shortt (Irene), and Noel Shortt (Bridie); siblings-in law: Loretta and Tom O’Neill, Pat Shortt, the late Marie Louise Luther (David), and Mike Guerrero; Mary was predeceased by her parents: Mai (née Coyle) and John Shortt; and siblings: Sean Shortt, Una Guerrero, Dick Shortt, and Peter Shortt. Mary was deeply beloved by her family and leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins who mourn her.

Mary was born in County Meath, Ireland, in 1941, the eldest of 11 children. She graduated from Nursing school programs at National Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh, The Royal City of Dublin Hospital, and the Rotunda Hospital, all in Dublin. Mary worked in St. Luke’s Hospital’s Operating Room, and also in prenatal and natal services in Dublin’s Northside neighbourhoods, having also become a midwife.

Mary travelled to work in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada in 1964. What began as a temporary posting became a permanent one when she met and eventually married her husband Dominic in 1966. After a stint at the University of Alberta Hospital’s Labour and Delivery unit, she and Dominic returned to Corner Brook, where Mary continued and completed her Nursing career at Western Memorial Regional Hospital, first in Paediatrics, then the Operating Room, and then for twenty-five years as Night Supervisor, where many hats were worn. After retiring from this position, Mom decided she wanted to return and finished her career with nine years in Western Memorial Regional Hospital’s Emergency Department.

Mom continued to give of her time throughout her life, volunteering as medical staff at Corner Brook Triathlons, as a gatekeeper at Marble Mountain downhill ski races, as a eucharistic minister, and a brownie leader. Mary was a member of, and often led, Western Memorial’s Hospital Auxiliary after her retirement, from 2007 to 2024.

In following Mary’s wishes, there will be a funeral Mass on Tuesday, February 10^th, at 10:00 am, at Holy Redeemer Cathedral, in Corner Brook.

Mary and family wished to confer sincere thanks to all of our friends and family for the incredible support you have given us during this time. We would like to thank Father Edward Terry, whose regular visits to Mom provided her and her family with great comfort. We would also like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the medical staff at Western Memorial Regional Hospital’s Palliative Care unit, whose guidance and attentiveness have been invaluable.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Western Memorial Regional Hospital Foundation, St. Vincent de Paul, or a charity of your choice.

The Mass will be livestreamed, and also available for viewing after the ceremony, please register via this link:

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=8851c0ab-d342-4e54-be2f-a2a4ae726fa2