Ellen E. McGrail

WORCESTER/SHREWSBURY-Ellen E. McGrail, 63, formerly of 22 John St., Worcester and recently of 311 Main St., Shrewsbury at Shrewsbury Crossings Assisted Living, died Tuesday, May 2, 2006 at Saint Vincent Hospital.

Ellen is the daughter of Mary Cunningham McGrail and Thomas F. McGrail who predeceased her. She leaves two brothers, Thomas F. McGrail, Jr., and his wife Patricia A. of Chadds Ford, PA and Lawrence A. McGrail and his wife Gail of Grafton, a sister, Mary-Margaret McGrail of Alexandria, VA, several nephews and nieces and great nephews and nieces, whom she loved.

Ellen, or "El" as her family liked to call her was a graduate of St. Peter's High School, class of 1960. In the later 60's she worked in Washington, D.C. as a secretary for the Department of the Navy under Admiral Rickover. Returning to Worcester, she began a long career with the Worcester School Department as a senior clerk, first in the Library Processing Center and in her later years in service to the Department of Child Studies.

Ellen enjoyed her travels in New England and also to France, England, Ireland and the Holy Land with her family and friends. She enjoyed music and singing very much and was active in a variety of choral groups in Worcester. She was a member of the Cathedral of St. Paul where she was also a cantor at the 12:15 mass and volunteered for activities both before and after retirement.. Ellen studied painting at the Worcester Art Museum, working in watercolors, oils and acrylics. She liked to read, do crossword puzzles and play Scrabble. Upon retirement, she became a volunteer for the Worcester Art Museum, tutored with the RSVP program at Flagg Street School, listening to the children read.

The funeral will be held Friday, May 5 from CALLAHAN & FAY BROTHES FUNERAL HOME, 61 Myrtle Street, Worcester with a Mass at 10:00 AM in the Cathedral of St. Paul, 15 Chatham Street. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. Visiting hours are Thursday, May 4 from 5 - 8 PM in the funeral home. Flowers may be sent or donations may be made to Cathedral of St. Paul Outreach Program, 38 High St., Worc., MA 01609 or to the Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worc., MA 01609. For directions and online condolence book please visit www.callahanfay.com.