Among the most notable times in the life of Mary Ellen Schimmel Spivak came as her remarkable voice was evident as she was studying opera and later as she was appearing in Broadway productions that included Bells Are Ringing, Oklahoma, and Hello Dolly! Her voice was silenced on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, when she passed away at age 91 at the Heart Homes Assisted Living Residence in Odenton, Md. However, her remarkable spirit, infectious enthusiasm for life and love of family and friends will remain strong and endless.

Mary Ellen was born in Harrisburg, Pa., on Nov. 24,1930, to Alice Sullivan Schimmel and Frederick Schimmel. She was a graduate of Marymount College in Tarrytown, N.Y., where she was a music major. After graduation, she studied voice in New York City with Maestro William Pierce Herman, who also trained the famous opera star, Roberta Peters, and singers including Lucille Ball and Mary Martin. As with many of Mr. Herman's singers, Mary Ellen had weekly fitness classes with Joseph Pilates, who had established an e xercise regimen to build flexibility, strength and stamina. She was among the performers who went to the original Pilates Studio on 8 th Avenue in New York City to enhance their overall talents.

Her talent stood out to many and she earned roles in Broadway productions. In the late 1950s, she was in the cast of Bells Are Ringing , a production about an answering service operator who gets a little too involved in the lives of her clients. In that production, she also was the understudy for Judy Holliday, who later starred in the film version of the play. In Hello Dolly! in the 1960s, she was in the cast, and also was the understudy, for star Carol Channing, whose lead role earned her the Tony Award for "Best Actress in a Musical" in 1964.

Her professional career included being part of the tour of The Chevrolet Show , which was assembled to present new cars to Chevrolet dealers throughout the United States.

Mary Ellen lived the last 15 years in the Annapolis area. Prior to moving to Annapolis, she lived for many years in Washington, D.C., including a period where she lived at the Watergate complex. She later lived in Chevy Chase, Md.

Later in life, Mary Ellen turned her love of fine things, including jewelry, into a period of working in the jewelry business. Music continued to have a major role for Mary Ellen. At Heart Homes, despite some physical limitations, she could occasionally be heard singing Broadway show tunes to entertain fellow residents. She loved flowers and animals, but most of all, loved spending time with her daughter and two grandchildren. When her young (at the time) grandson Connor, and granddaughter, Keating, came to her to say that they found a puppy in pet store that was so perfect—but so expensive—Grandmother Mary Ellen had only one response. She purchased Tilly the Yorkie, who became a much-beloved family member. The always-energized Tilly perked up even more every time she visited her "grandmother."

Among Mary Ellen's activities was her membership in The Junior League of Washington.

Mary Ellen's husband, Joseph Spivak, predeceased her. She was previously married to Richard Krimm, with whom she shared a daughter, Amy. Mary Ellen is survived by Amy Krimm of Damascus, Md.; grandson Connor Krimm O'Brien of Annapolis; and granddaughter Keating Amy O'Brien, who currently attends the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. Her surviving family also includes Joe Spivak's daughter, Myrna Spivak Ruck, and his son, Marvin Spivak.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, located on Church Circle in Annapolis. A reception will follow the service.