Mary Ellen Baran

Mary Ellen Baran of Elizabeth Twp, died Friday, January 31, 2014 at home. She was born in McKeesport and was the daughter of the late Philip and Sarah Green Hartig. She was a member of the Mount Vernon Community Presbyterian Church since 1955 where she served as organist and also as an elder. Mary Ellen studied music at Carnegie Tech and taught piano privately, while also enjoying playing with big bands in the Pittsburgh area. She was an "old timer" member of the Pittsburgh Musicians Union and was also a member of the Golden Oldies Bowling League. She worked as a real estate agent, and after living in South Carolina for a few years, returned home and was employed as a legal secretary in a law firm until she retired. She is survived by son, Philip (Debbie) Baran of Elizabeth Twp, grandchildren, Dr. Christopher (Dr. Emily) Baran of Hilliard, OH, Dr. Kelli Thompson of Arlington, VA, and Katie Baran of Elizabeth Twp., great-grandchildren, Greta Elizabeth Baran, Zachary Scott Thompson, Thomas Christopher Baran and Lucas Baran Thompson, nephew, Thomas (Karen) Hartig of Aliquippa, niece, RoseMary (Gus) Villalba of Rancho Sante Fe, CA, and great-nephews, Tom and Pat Hartig and John and Mark Villalba. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Ellen White in 1995. Together they were pioneers in kidney transplantation for patients with diabetes at the University of Minnesota in 1972. She was also preceded in death by her brother, C. Thomas Hartig who died in 2002. Friends are welcome Sunday, February 2 from 2-6 PM at the Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 6028 Smithfield Street, Boston, Elizabeth Township. Service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Monday, February 3, at 10:00 AM with The Rev. Ed Pope, officiating. Interment will follow at the Mount Vernon Cemetery, Elizabeth Twp. Condolences may be made at www.gilbertfuneralhomeandcrematory.com