BEVERLY – Mary Christine (Ellard) Danforth, age 76, wife of William A. Danforth with whom she married in 1988, died Thursday evening May 9, 2019 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.  Born in Salem on May 31, 1942 to the late Denis and Margaret (O'Brien) Ellard.  She graduated from St. James Girls High School in 1959 and continued her education at the Salem Hospital School of Nursing graduating in 1962.  She continued her education and graduated with her Bachelors Degree from Salem State College in 1988 and received her Masters Degree in Nursing from Boston University.

Mrs. Danforth was employed with Salem Hospital for many years as a Registered Nurse working in the Emergency Department  and out patient care.  She went to work with the Partners VNA in 1993 and retired in 2014.  She was an accomplished pilot keeping her plane at Beverly Airport.  She enjoyed spending time at camp on Lake Winnipesauke at Alton Bay, NH.  She was also a lover of animals.

Surviving her in addition to her husband are her sister, Margaret (Peggy) Harte of Rochester, NH, her brother John Ellard and his wife Natalie of Gloucester.  She has 5 nieces and 6 nephews and several great nieces and great nephews.  She was predeceased by her sister Helen Capuccio and her brother Dennis Ellard originally of  Salem.

Her Funeral Service will be held at the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal  St, corner of North St, Salem on Wednesday,  May 15, 2019 at 11:00 A.M.  Visiting hours are prior to the service from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M.  Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.  Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St., Danvers, MA  01923.  For additional information or on line guest book please call 978-744-0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneral Home.com.