Mary Ellen Craig (Age 78)
Mary Ellen Craig, age 78, passed away at her home on May 1, 2024. Born on December 7, 1945, in Cambridge, MA, she was daughter to the late Edward L. Craig, Jr. and the late Flore L. (Piston) Craig of Concord, MA. The oldest of five children, Mary Ellen graduated from the now closed Marian High School in Framingham, MA (’63). Her fellow Marian classmate, former Congressman James P. “Jim” Moran, fondly remembers that exactly 60 years prior to the day of her passing, Mary Ellen was crowned Queen of the May, a title bestowed in honor of the Blessed Mother. “Standing up there in front of the entire crowd, she had never looked happier or more beautiful”, Jim recollected.
After Mary Ellen went on to graduate from Regis College (BA, ’67), she and Jim married at St. Bernard’s Church in Concord, MA. Following the births of their two children, James Edward “Jimmy” Moran and Mary Elise Moran, the family settled and became active in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, VA. It was there that Mary Ellen helped found the nearby Valley Drive Preschool. A few years later, she chose to travel a different path and enrolled in the Catholic University School of Law, where she went on to earn her JD (’77).
She began her law career as a prosecutor with the Commonwealth’s Attorney office in Alexandria, VA, under then Commonwealth Attorney John Kloch. She moved into private practice in the early 1980’s with her second husband, the late Robert A.W. Boraks. In addition to being an accomplished attorney, Mary Ellen had also become a child advocate; she combined these two passions when she accepted a position with the Arlington County Attorney’s office in 1991, where she represented the County in all cases related to the abuse and neglect of children and the elderly. Her service was almost always both challenging and heartbreaking, but she earned numerous accolades and awards for her courageous work and managed to hold this position for more than 15 years until her well-deserved retirement in 2009.
After retiring, it surprised no one when she continued to give back by becoming a volunteer Chaplain at Inova Alexandria Hospital, where she took great pleasure in being able to bring comfort and support to others in need.
Each year, she gathered her family at lavish Thanksgiving dinners, where she encouraged them to express gratitude for blessings great and small, no matter how challenging the times. Mary Ellen was an avid reader, an amazing cook, and a dedicated viewer of Law & Order. She loved ballet, having been a talented dancer in her youth, and took adult dance classes at BalletNova. A deeply spiritual individual, she expanded her religious studies to the teachings and meditations of Buddha. She was an ardent Democrat and frequent (very peaceful) protestor.
Her greatest passion in life though, was in her role as Grandmother to her four beloved grandchildren: Grayson Lee Moran, Keira Elise Moran, Leia Marie Moran, and Aidan Pierce Basloe. There was nothing in the world more important to her than these four, and her unconditional love and support for them knew no bounds. She never missed an opportunity to loudly cheer for them at every play, concert, sporting event, awards ceremony, and graduation. She kept every card they ever sent her, every event program, every drawing and gift they’d given her over the years. She treasured the time she spent with them, whether it was trips to London or Paris, celebrating a birthday or holiday, or simply getting together to chat over tea or a brownie sundae. Her home was filled with their photos and mementos of their shared memories.
Memories of Mary Ellen’s kindness, generosity, and love as a mother-in-law will be cherished by Jimmy’s wife, Angie Coffman Moran, and Mary Elise’s husband, Benjamin Basloe. In addition to Jimmy & Angie (of Alexandria, VA), Mary Elise & Ben (of Arlington, VA), Grayson, Keira, Leia, and Aidan, she is also survived by her four younger siblings: Edward Craig, Catherine (John) Hopkins, Tricia (Dick) Wolf, and Michele (Kevin) Craig, and several much-loved nieces and nephews.
Mary Ellen had suffered through a very difficult last four years, but finally succumbed, perhaps mercifully, after a short battle with ALS. Her bedside was constantly surrounded by her kids and grandkids during her final weeks, and she passed bravely and peacefully while holding her daughter’s hand. Her children would like to thank her youngest sister and accomplished nurse, Michele, who dropped everything and flew to her side to help manage her at-home hospice care. Michele’s reassuring presence, medical expertise, and warm heart was a great gift to us, most especially to Mom. We’d also like to thank two of her longtime best friends, Martha Casey and Miki Yaras-Davis, who provided counsel to us and who managed to maintain their connections with Mom until the end.
Mary Ellen was a generous donor to many charities and we encourage donations in her memory to two of her very favorites: Save the Children (www.savethechildren.org) or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org). Alternatively, she would also encourage support of Alcoholics Anonymous, a non-profit organization she proudly credited for its role in her 30+ years of fierce sobriety.
No formal service is scheduled per her wishes. To share a memory or offer a condolence visit www.laytorestfuneralhome.com.