Mary Ellen Wells

Mary Ellen Wells, wife of Stephen Erik Deininger of Phoenixville, PA, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday May 7, 2025. She was 73 years old.

Born on May 9, 1951, in Boston, MA, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Mary Wells. She attended and graduated from Westwood High School where she met her life-long friends, Cheryl and John Kelly. Later, she met the love of her life, Stephen, when they both worked at Tillinghast in Newton, MA. 

After moving to Pennsylvania in 1993, Mary Ellen embraced motherhood as a stay-at-home mom and volunteered at her children’s preschool, Charlestown Playhouse. She was a long-time member of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and an avid gardener.

Throughout her life, she enjoyed arts and crafts including stained glass, embroidery, and ceramics. She was a foodie who enjoyed traveling, being with her family, and swimming in the ocean. Anyone who walked through her front door knew that her favorite holiday was Halloween—the animatronic zombie butler, witches, ravens, and ghoulish wall sconces greeted visitors 365 days a year. 

Although her and her family adored all their pets, a loyal Chow-Chow mix named Roxy was Mary Ellen’s closest companion for over a decade.

With a big smile and a loud laugh, Mary Ellen will be missed tremendously. 

In addition to her husband of 37 years, Mary Ellen is survived by her daughters Kari and Niki Deininger as well as her brother Perry Wells Sr. 

She is preceded in death by her daughter Elizabeth Wells Deininger, brothers John and Michael Wells, and sister Irene Russo.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at Devlin-Gatcha Funeral Home at 517 S. Main Street, Phoenixville, PA on May 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Mark Young officiating. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:00 –11:00 AM prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks for any memorial contributions to be made to Charlestown Playhouse.