Mary Ellen (Elsbrock) Rock

Mary Ellen “Missy” (Elsbrock) Rock, 82, of Albuquerque, NM, passed away on Saturday, October 9, 2021, due to complications from chronic illness.

Mary Ellen was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Tuesday, November 15, 1938, to Robert George Elsbrock and Mary Eugenia (McMills) Elsbrock. She graduated from her beloved Saint Mary’s High School and continued to receive a Bachelor’s of Elementary Education from the University of New Mexico. She was a member of the Tri Delta Sorority.

Mary Ellen had roots in the Midwest, but the bulk of her childhood was spent in Tesuque and Santa Fe, NM. In Tesuque, she told stories of running around in overalls and loose braids, exchanging bologna sandwiches for homemade bean burritos. In Santa Fe, she played sandlot baseball and grew up on a street where everyone helped each other. She washed her playing hands in the flowing Acequia Madre; she believed that the story of St. Joseph building the staircase at Loretto Chapel was a true miracle, and took many out-of-town visitors to marvel at the wonder. Raised in the Roman Catholic tradition, Mary Ellen was a woman of devout faith.

Mary Ellen worked as a talented elementary school teacher for various schools in New Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Arizona, for several years before meeting Richard Rock in Phoenix. She married Richard on Saturday, August 20, 1966. They were married for 55 years. She boxed her chalk and became a full-time, loyal homemaker and mother. They raised their family in Albuquerque. She treasured her four children and embraced every moment with them, taking them on numerous road trips in the family bus, and organizing extended stays at the Pecos family cabin on the banks of Winsor Creek. She loved to travel, locally and abroad, making sure her children “caught the bug” by papering the kitchen wall with a map of the world, along with enthusiastically planning many exciting sojourns to distant lands. She especially relished her role as Nana Rock to her five grandchildren.

Mary Ellen had a joyful personality and contagious smile, which always made people around her happy. True to her teaching past, Mary Ellen enjoyed volunteering for children’s advocacy organizations, with a focus on childhood literacy. She was actively involved in Casa Angelica, Assistance League of Albuquerque, and the Dominican Ecclesial Institute (DEI), to name a few. Along with skillfully wrangling four strong-willed children to adulthood and beyond, Mary Ellen believed that giving back to the community was an essential way to express gratitude to her Maker for the blessed life she led.

Mary Ellen is survived by her loving husband, Dr. Richard A. Rock, of Albuquerque, NM; son, Richard Rock, Jr. and wife, Kelly; daughter, Mary Gene Rock; son, Robert Rock and wife, Gretchen Deutsch; daughter, Catherine Rock; grandchildren, Connor, Danny, Stevie, Quinn, and Keenan; sister, Ruth Ann Elsbrock; sister-in-law, Carmen Elsbrock; and numerous nieces and nephews. Missy will be profoundly missed by family and friends. Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Mary Gene Elsbrock; and her brother, Timothy Elsbrock.

Visitation, followed by Rosary, will be held on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, starting at 10:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 4020 Lomas Blvd. NE. Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. The Very Rev. Stephen Schultz, Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, will be officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, at 12:30 p.m. A Reception will follow at FRENCH-University at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, 4020 Lomas Blvd. NE; the Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter Main Office, PO Box 21400, Albuquerque, NM 87154, or visit alz.org/donate to make an online gift. The family of Mary Ellen wishes to thank the caregivers from Avista Senior Living and Kindred Hospice Albuquerque for their compassionate care in her final days.

Please visit our online guestbook for Mary at www.frenchfunerals.com

FRENCH - University

1111 University Blvd. NE

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