In Memoriam: Mary Ellen Murphy (1952-2023)

Mary Ellen was a brand before the term was ever used. A talent, a leader, an actor, a singer, a leader, a hard worker, a force, a colorful character, a personality, a loving sister and aunt, a loyal friend. 

Mary Ellen was born on Feb. 1, 1952 in Waveland, Mississippi. Mary Ellen was a Southern girl, a Belle. The South was always her home and where her true roots were although her heart, soul and unwavering spirit was with her wherever she was at the given time. In her early days, Mary Ellen was a cheerleader for the New York Cosmos (soccer). Her ebullient nature and natural beauty were both inside and out as she contributed her energy and enthusiasm to this famed team.

Life and travels took her to New York City where she found another family – the hospitality industry. She was a pioneer in the industry working with iconic names like Warner Leroy who opened the famed Russian Tea Room and Tavern on the Green. When Mary Ellen became involved with you, with your event, she approached it as if it were her own.

Her life in restaurants and what made her legendary was that she was among the first to develop the concept of group dining. Mary Ellen’s determination and tenacity were her armor working among New York’s top moguls to fight for the industry she loved and that loved her. Her presence, her dress, wearing colorful and dramatic jackets made her a theatrical figure in whatever she did. Mary Ellen could captivate a crowd anywhere with her innate ability to tell a story – and boy, could she tell a story. Many of us will never forget Bubba, Beauregard, their friends and all the tales about her beloved Father and the Bayou. We all remember how hard she worked as we more than often heard, “I haven’t eaten all day.”

During her famed career, Mary Ellen became involved with celebrated restaurants such as Malony and Porcelli, Smith and Wollensky, Del Posto and all the related brands. She was the brand to hundreds of people who depended upon her.

During this time, Mary Ellen never stopped singing, literally. She loved cabaret. Her music and singing were her medicine and with a group of talented and spirited friends, she sang with them and for us. She appeared on stage at an international meeting for MPI in front of thousands, sang at Tavern on the Green for the Meeting Professionals Chapter of Greater New York and partnered with her friend and music partner, the late Chris Gillespie of Bemelman’s Bar at the Carlyle Hotel. Mary Ellen always loved a party, although life gave her battles with health along the way which, as a Survivor, she always overcame.

One party in particular was her 50th birthday celebration with a full orchestra led by her dear friend and ours, the late Chris Gillespie. Reminiscent of the glamour days of New York City, guests celebrated ME in the style to which she was most comfortable…the Queen leading the conga line dressed in full regalia, sporting a tiara…Our Queen for a Day…Our friend for always.

Life called ME back to the South and she poured her personal time into building a home, furnishing a home and moved from New York. One personal memory is helping her to pack and looking at all her books (she was an avid reader) and music thinking what to do with these. ME quickly stated, "You understand I cannot part with my books or music," as those were the threads that kept her spirit together.

As the President of the MPI New York Chapter during two separate terms, Mary Ellen’s leadership skills soared and she continued to make major contributions to the Chapter and industry she loved throughout the years.

Moving back home, her life changed after Katrina and once again she picked up the pieces, and moved on rebuilding her life and focusing on her consistent love of theater and all animals.

Mary Ellen was called back to her passion in theater and recently as Artistic Director in Theater in the Pass and her love and passion continued through leading, acting and becoming “the heart and soul” of the playhouse.

She is survived by her sister Carleen Turcotte and brother Patrick Murphy and their respective families. Her heart and soul will be forever missed.