Mary Ellen Kallaur

Mary Ellen Kallaur, (Bitterlie), passed away peacefully on June 20, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 79.

Mary was born on December 11, 1946, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Charles William Bitterlie and Anastasia Monica Hickey. She was the eldest of three children and shared a close bond with her younger brothers, Charles and Tom.

Mary was proud of her years working as a switchboard operator at Good Samaritan Hospital. After becoming a mother, she devoted herself to her family as a homemaker and lovingly cared for many children through babysitting. Her nurturing spirit, patience, and kindness touched countless lives.

A devout Catholic, Mary attended Catholic schools throughout her youth and carried her faith with her throughout her life. She found joy in simple pleasures, including crossword puzzles, dancing, and reading. She especially enjoyed horror and romance novels and was a devoted fan of author V.C. Andrews.

Mary had a deep love for animals and rarely turned away a creature in need. Horses were especially dear to her heart, and she enjoyed drawing pictures of them. Her compassion for animals reflected the kindness and gentle nature she showed to everyone around her.

One of Mary's favorite stories was how she met the love of her life, Walter, at a military dance. She would laugh when recalling that her first impression of him was that he seemed a little stuck up. That first impression quickly faded, and together they built a loving marriage filled with family, laughter, and cherished memories.

Mary particularly loved Easter, delighting in hiding Easter eggs for children and creating traditions that brought family together. She also had a well-known fondness for M&Ms, a treat that never failed to make her smile. Mary also enjoyed winning prizes and playing bingo.

Mary leaves behind her beloved son, Michael, and his future wife, Sonseeahray; her daughter, Stacy; and her treasured grandchildren, Jimmy Davis and Kaylee Davis. She also leaves behind extended family members, friends, and all those whose lives were enriched by her love and kindness.

She was welcomed into Heaven by her beloved husband, Walter; her parents, Charles William Bitterlie and Anastasia Monica Hickey; and her brothers, Charles and Tom.

Mary will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her love of family, her generous heart, and her ability to find joy in life's simple moments. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

A Funeral Service will be held at Advantage Funeral and Cremation Services Maryvale Chapel, 6901 West Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85033, US, on July 1, 2026, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, followed by a Committal at Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201, US, on July 1, 2026, from 11:00 am to 11:30 am.