Portsmouth, - Mary R. Ellis, of Portsmouth, RI passed away Saturday, December 13, 2014 at Newport Hospital.She was the wife of the late Howard W. Ellis.Mary was born in Newport, RI on March 30, 1916, to the late John and Margaret (Lynch) Murphy of Gleninchiquin, County Kerry Ireland.After graduating from St. Joseph's High School in Newport, RI, Mary became a telephone operator for the New England Telephone Company. In later years she was an accounting clerk at the Newport Naval Base.Mary is survived by her son John H. Ellis and his wife Shirley of Tiverton, RI; her daughters Nancy Carroll and her husband Brian, Claire Ellis and Lynn Ellis of Portsmouth, RIShe was the loving grandmother to six grandchildren ten great grandchildren. She also leaves several nieces and nephews.Mary was preceded in death by her brothers John Quinlan Murphy, James Christopher Murphy, and her sister Catherine Marie Galvin.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held, Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 9:00am in St. Lucys Church, 909 West Main Road, Middletown At the request of Mary's family, burial services are privateIn lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Lucy's Church, 909 West Main Road, Middletown, RI 02842.