Mary Ellen Barrett Koch

April 21, 1957 - January 24, 2022

Obituary For Mary Ellen Barrett Koch

Mrs. Mary Ellen Koch, 64, of Raleigh, NC passed away on January 24, 2022, after a brave battle with metastatic ovarian cancer. She was born in New York on April 21, 1957, to the late Maurice Patrick and Vivian Barrett. She spent her childhood in Corona, Queens and eventually moved to Long Island with her family as a teenager.

Mary Ellen loved being involved in school. She was a majorette for Newfield High School, served on the yearbook committee, and volunteered as a candy striper with her friends at a local hospital. She met the love of her life, Paul, when she was 16 years old at Newfield, and from that point on, they were inseparable. They were married on October 16, 1977, and had two children, Jenny and Paul.

Mary Ellen and her husband made the big decision to move their family to Raleigh, NC in 1992. She worked as a bank teller for BB&T, but her real love was working in the schools. She was a teacher’s aid at Pleasant Union Elementary and a secretary at Sanderson High School. In 1998, she became the bookkeeper at Leesville High School, where she worked for 23 years. The Leesville family became her extended family, and she had a significant impact on the students, staff, and their families during her time there.

Mary Ellen was a beautiful and adoring mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She also was an awesome band and color guard mom, troop mom, and ‘second mom’ to so many others. Her spirit will live on through her family and friends who loved her and miss her.

Mary Ellen is survived by her husband, Paul Koch; her children, Paul Koch (Naomi Oshiro) and Jenny Womack (Scott Womack); and her brother, Marcy Barrett (Kathy Barrett).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the SECU Jim and Betsy Bryan Hospice Home of UNC.

A Visitation will be held at Renaissance Funeral Home, 7615 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27615 on Thursday, January 27, 2022 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

The Memorial Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 11401 Leesville Road, Raleigh, NC 27613, on Friday, January 28,, 2022 at 3:30 pm.

Masks will be required at both events for everyone’s safety.

The Memorial Service will be live-streamed via the following link: Memorial Service for Mary Ellen Koch (click here)

Services

27 Jan

Visitation

05:00 PM - 07:00 PM

Renaissance Funeral Home 7615 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27615 Get Directions »

28 Jan

Mass

St. Francis of Assisi Church 11401 Leesville Road Raleigh, NC 27613 Get Directions »

by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

January 28, 2022

Uwe Gramm

Paul, my sincere condolences to you and your family on the loss of your wife. Uwe Gramm.
January 28, 2022

Kim Bush

Jenny- Your PRTM advising family is thinking of you and your family. We are so sorry for your loss! --PRTM Advisors
January 27, 2022

Carol Nata

I was heartbroken to hear the sad news about Mary Ellen. She was a kind and loving person who always had a smile on her face! I truly enjoyed working with her at Leesville and have many wonderful memories of our time together. My prayers go out to her loving family!
January 27, 2022

Randy Melton

Paul, I am so sorry to hear this. Take some comfort in knowing she will live on in the hearts of those whose lives she touched. My deepest condolences. — Randy Melton
January 27, 2022

Ken Long

Paul, my deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your lovely wife. May you find comfort in the knowledge that she is now at peace. - Ken Long
January 27, 2022

Art Psalidas

Paul, we are so very sorry to hear of Mary Ellen's passing. Please know that we are keeping you and your family in our thoughts. Our deepest condolences, Leslie Rogers and Art Psalidas
January 26, 2022

Frankie Petty

My sincere condolences to Mary Ellen's family, coworkers, and loving friends! I so enjoyed working with her at LRHS for many years. She always had a smile when talking with me, and she was so knowledgeable in her job—she definitely helped keep LRHS organized and moving forward! She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She will not be forgotten!
January 26, 2022

Jeff Watson

Paul, We're sorry to hear of your wife's passing. Hopefully, someday the memories of her will replace the sorrow of today. Our deepest condolences, Jeff & Lorraine Watson
January 26, 2022

Kerry and Tim Dyer

Sorry to hear this sad news, Mary Ellen will be missed by all the individuals she has touched in her life. She was a very sweet and loving soul. We ourselves always appreciated how nice she was to our family. We want to let you know that your family is in our prayers. You have our deepest sympathy. Kerry and Tim Dyer
January 25, 2022

Debbie T. oakley
January 25, 2022

John Arnesen

Hi Paul, I am so sorry to hear of this news. Please accept my condolences for your loss. John Arnesen
January 25, 2022

Nancy Medlin

Mary Ellen was a beautiful, giving person. It was a pleasure working with her in the office and at football games at Leesville High School. Sending condolences to her family and friends.
January 25, 2022

Lynne Sanders

So sorry to hear this sad news. I always felt that both of my high aged children were "looked after" by Mary Ellen. She touched so many lives and will be missed by so many. Lynne Sanders and family.
January 25, 2022

Lora salib