Obituary of Mary Ellen S. Horine

Mary Ellen Stacy Horine, born February 19, 1932 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, a daughter of John Sherwood Stacy and Mary Kennedy Stacy, died November 13, 2015 in Boone, NC. When she was still a child, her family moved to the Panama Canal Zone where she grew up and then returned to begin raising her children. Mary Ellen was a life-long educator. She attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, receiving her BA in Education. She also received her Masters Degree in Elementary Education at the University of Colorado, Boulder and her Doctor of Education in Educational Administration from UNC-Greensboro. Mary Ellen had a long and varied career in education including teaching in Puerto Rico, Denver, CO., Panama Canal Zone, and Hardin Park School in Boone, NC and ultimately becoming Assistant Principal there. Her last teaching post before retirement was as an Adjunct Professor at Appalachian State University, supervising student teachers. Mary Ellen was a tireless substitute for the Watauga County schools as well. She cared deeply about children and knew how to reach them in the education setting. She loved children and they loved her! Mary Ellen was an active participant in the Colonial Garden Club, The Retired Teachers Association, ASU Womens Association, Gourmet supper club and the Fifty Nighters Dance Club. She also touched the lives of many as a Weight Watchers Leader. Mary Ellen loved to travel. With her husband, a professor at ASU, the Horines traveled the world on their breaks from teaching; and their home reflects those adventures with numerous collected treasures. Mary Ellen loved her family. She was predeceased by her son Larry Sherwood Horine in 1998. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Larry E. Horine; her children Stace E Horine (Sheila) of Asheville and Mary Sheryl Horine (Stacy) of Boone; and daughter-in-law Joni Horine of Boone. She is also survived by her adoring grandchildren; Margaret K. Horine, Katherine P. Horine, Hannah W. Horine of Asheville; Zakary S. Horine, Joshua B. Horine, Grace S. Horine, Carlton J. Horine, Cole K. Horine of Boone; and one great-grandchild, Emma A.W. Horine of Asheville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made either to the Continuing Education Fund for Teachers, c/o Hardin Park School, 361 Jefferson Rd., Boone, N.C. 28607 or the Woodson-Horine International Scholarship, in care of Appalachian State University Foundation, Gift Processing Center, ASU Box 32014, Boone, North Carolina, 28608. The family will receive friends at the home of Mary Sheryl Horine at 887 Blairmont Drive in Boone. A visitation will be held at 2:00pm on November 15, 2015 at the Boone United Methodist Church, 471 New Market Blvd, Boone, NC 28607 and followed by a celebration of life service at 3:00pm. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Horine family.