WILMINGTON — Mary Ellen Capodice passed on April 6, 2026 at the tender age of 96.
She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Martin Capodice, parents Charles and Anne Frank, and brother, Charles.
She is survived by her daughters, Mary Jo (Dennis), Anne (Tom), Kathy (Dave), Joan (Tim), Carol (Patrick), and Rita (Dave). She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Mary Ellen was a native Chicagoan, born and raised on the west side. From early on, she excelled at school, earning a scholarship to an all-girls catholic high school. She worked hard to get herself through college and became a math and science teacher.
In 1954, she met a dashing young Italian boy from the South Side of Chicago, named Marty, who swept her off her feet. Within a year, they married. Within another year or so, a baby girl appeared. Little girls kept coming until 1967, when they finally called it quits after six.
After whipping a couple PTA’s into shape while the girls were young, she finally went back to work when her youngest started school. She yearned for mental stimulation and fulfillment and chose to challenge young minds and teach math and science at an all-girls’ Catholic high school. She was only there for 4 years but she made a life-long impact on many teachers and students. A couple of her daughters did survive her classes and only occasionally had to endure her shaking her head and muttering their full names on Sunday nights as she graded papers at the kitchen table.
While she was teaching, she decided to go back to college for accounting. At the young age of 50, she sat for the CPA exam and passed the entire test the very first time. After a few years, she also got her Masters in Taxation.
After moving back to the Chicago area in 1979, she worked at various tax accounting jobs. She was well known for being able to explain complex principles to just about everyone, even lawyers. She also taught accounting in college for many years, retiring from teaching well into her 70’s. She kept working as a CPA, until the age of 85.
During her semi-retirement, she and Marty travelled quite a bit all over the US and Europe visiting friends and family. Mary Ellen was also active in the Catholic Church for many years, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and volunteering at the nursing home and tending bar for their Happy Hours.
She loved to play bridge and tried to no avail to teach her family. She did, however, manage to teach her family quite a bit including the value of education, working hard, and expressing gratitude. She also taught everyone to “double-check your numbers” and “use your own good judgement” which, in retrospect, may have been a questionable parenting technique.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be offered here.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Commons and Lower Cape Fear Hospice and two special caregivers, Georgie Whaley and Mary Pat Barth. You all made a world of difference in Mom’s quality of life these past few months.
