Mary Ellen Sheerin-Rando, 62

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mary Ellen Sheerin-Rando of Pittsfield passed away Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Albany Medical Center after a long illness.

Born in Pittsfield on October 12, 1954, daughter of the late John and Mary Coppolino Sheerin, she attended local schools and was a 1972 graduate of Taconic High School.

Mary Ellen was employed as a nursery teacher assistant for the Teen Parent Program in Pittsfield and was the owner of a home-cleaning business. She had also worked for the St. Stephen's Vacation Camp as an arts and crafts instructor. In earlier years, she had worked at the Silver Sleigh Christmas Shop and the former Magner Drug Store. She was a Volunteer for Grades 1-5 and Room Mother at Highland School, Den Mother for Cub Scouts, North Little League Team Mother, Babe Ruth Team Mother, and Host Family for 1995 Massachusetts Babe Ruth Championship Playoffs, as well as a member of the Taconic High Wrestling Team Booster Club.

Her hobbies included candy making, cooking, baking, crafts, Reiki Master Teacher, and Kawna Reiki Practitioner.

Mary Ellen leaves her husband of over forty years, Robert Rando Jr.; a son, Justin J.Rando; a sister, Judy Keltz of Rochester, N.Y.; several nieces and nephews; her in-laws, including mother-in-law Helen Rando, brother-in-law Peter (and Linda) Rando, brother-in-law James (and Debbie) Rando, sister-in-law Susan (and Stan) Knysh and sister-in-law Sherry Rando, all of Pittsfield; and her loving cat "Patty Cake."

She was predeceased by two brothers, James Sheerin and John Sheerin; two sisters, Rosemary Vinette and Maureen "Rita" Cahill; a brother-in-law, Thomas Rando; and her father-in-law, Robert Rando Sr.

Funeral notice: Funeral services for Mary Ellen Sheerin-Rando will be held Friday, April 28, 2017, at 2 p.m. at Dery Funeral Home in Pittsfield with Rev. Charles F. Young, Chaplain of HospiceCare in The Berkshires, officiating.

Calling hours will precede the service beginning at noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation in care of the Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield.