Mary Ellen Gehrer

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Ellen (Adams) Gehrer, age 88, of Wimauma, FL, and a long-time resident of Kingston, Red Hook, and Catskill, NY. Mary Ellen passed away at home on March 14, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Mary Ellen is survived by her three children, Diane Gehrer, Robert Gehrer (Teresa), and Susan Acevedo; her six grandchildren, Andrew Brady (Lisa), Mary Lagrada (Jerome), Allison Downey (Peter), Ryan Acevedo, Francesca Acevedo, and Isabelle Acevedo; five great-grandchildren (Brandon, Lauren, Josiah, Shelby, and Tate); and two great-great grandchildren (Jaxon and Brooklyn). She is also survived by seventeen nieces and nephews and her brothers-in-law, Richard Gehrer, Jr., and Ernest Gehrer (Judy). Mary Ellen was pre-deceased by her husband of 68 years, Robert (Bob) Gehrer; her grandson, Christopher Gehrer; her great-granddaughter, Kaylee Brady; her five siblings and four of her nieces and nephews.

Born in 1936 in the Bronx, NY to Thomas and Helen (Rooney) Adams, Mary Ellen spent her childhood in New York City before moving with her mother and sister to Kingston, NY as a teenager. It was in Kingston that Mary Ellen met the love of her life, Bob, and they began their family and their life-long journey together.

After raising her three children, Mary Ellen started a successful banking career, beginning as a bank teller and retiring as a Vice President of Rhinebeck Savings Bank. Mary Ellen not only enjoyed her career choice, she treasured the friendships she developed with her coworkers, many of whom she remained in contact with long after her retirement.

Throughout their lives, Mary Ellen and Bob loved to travel all across the United States and abroad. As a Flushing girl, Mary Ellen was an avid fan of the NY Mets. After years of watching sports of all kinds, Mary Ellen discovered her own athletic prowess on the pickleball court in her seventies.

Mary Ellen touched the lives of so many people in such kind and loving ways. Mary Ellen will be missed by all, but she has gone from being an angel walking among us to being an angel watching over us as she is reunited with her husband in heaven.

A funeral mass will be held at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, at 702 Valley Forge Blvd., in Sun City Center, FL, on Saturday, April 26th, at 11am. The private entombment will be at the Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, FL, on Monday, April 28th. In lieu of flowers, a donation could be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities.