Mary Ellen grew up in Haledon NJ, went to Central High School in Paterson NJ, and graduated from Drew University (BA in English) and the University of Wisconsin–Madison (M.A. and Ph.D. in Contemporary American poetry). She lived from 1969-1997 in Princeton NJ and New York City. In 1997, she and her partner Sue Hallgarth moved to New Mexico, where they built their home in Corrales, and she learned to ride a horse.
Mary Ellen has been a professor, university administrator, national nonprofit executive, philanthropy researcher, and organizational consultant who published a college textbook on writing (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1976); edited A Women’s Thesaurus that changed Library of Congress Subject Headings (Harper & Row, 1987); and co-authored a W.K. Kellogg sponsored book, Effective Philanthropy, focusing on “deep diversity” and gender equality (MIT Press, 2006).
Mary Ellen’s mother Cora Althea Decker Stagg with Mary Ellen as a baby.Mary Ellen with her mother, Cora Althea Decker Stagg, and her younger brother Pete Stagg.Brother Pete Stagg, their Pop John B. Stagg, and Mary Ellen.Mary Ellen with her dad, John B. Stagg.Mary Ellen and her mom, both wearing dresses her mom sewed.First passport photo, circa 1967.Mary Ellen and her former husband Mike Capek.Married, living in Princeton NJ, mid-’70s (modeling Gloria Steinem hair).Mary Ellen with Charlie and Eddie at High Point State Park NJ.Mary Ellen and Eddie Capek, wearing his barbershop quartet suit.Mary Ellen with her stepsons Charlie and Ed Capek.Mary Ellen and her aunt, Agnes Bishop.Sue Hallgarth and Mary Ellen, shortly after meeting in 1987.Mary Ellen and Sue Hallgarth’s official wedding photo, 2003.Marriage equality finally comes to NM in 2013.Mary Ellen on Jed, her Arab gelding.Mary Ellen’s nephew and niece, Terry and Nancy Stagg.A School essay by Mary Ellen’s niece Nancy Stagg.
