Mary Ellen Neton

Mary Ellen Koller Neton, 67, passed away peacefully at her home in Long Beach, CA on Saturday, March 22.

Mary Ellen (known by many as M.E.) was born on October 14, 1958 in Milwaukee, WI to John (Jack) Koller and Eileen (Varilla) Koller. She graduated from Brookfield East High School and received her Bachelor’s from Marquette University.

After Marquette, M.E. made her way to Long Beach and landed a role at the Los Angeles Times. This is where she met her late husband Tom Neton, a Chicago native and fellow Marquette Grad. They married in October 1992 in Milwaukee, WI. Together, they completed their Masters’ degrees from Pepperdine University and bought a home in Long Beach to start their family.

M.E. devoted the early 2000’s to raising her son Jack. She became a vibrant presence within the St. Joseph’s community, serving as a sunday school teacher, room mom, and heavy involvement with the 8th grade commencement. She retired from working in 2023 and was an avid runner, powerlifter, and pickle ball player, while also enjoying more frequent trips to Seattle.

She is survived by her son Jack Neton, Seattle, WA; her brother John Koller, Wind Lake, WI; and her parents Jack and Eileen Koller, Brookfield, WI. She was preceded in death by her husband Tom on Apr 22, 2014.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Craig Hospital Foundation to support spinal and brain injury neurorehabilitation for their work with her grandniece.