FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Mary Ellen (Cassat) Lovett,

101, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2021. She was born April 3, 1919, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Lyle M. Cassat and Zua Christel Richardson Cassat. She spent her childhood in Clarinda, Iowa, and attended Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, where she met her future husband, Douglas Edwin Lovett.

Mary Ellen was married June 12, 1938 in Clarinda. She and Doug spent their first years living in Marion, and Richmond, Ind., until World War II. Following the war, they settled in Des Moines, Iowa, where they lived for 33 years. She was active in PTA and scout work while her two sons were growing up. She also enjoyed playing bridge and golf. She was an active member of PEO, having been initiated in 1938. During her time in Des Moines, she worked in the PEO Executive Headquarters as an assistant to the Recording Secretaries. In 1979, Doug retired and they moved to Bella Vista, Ark., where she became a charter member of P.E.O. chapter BR and its first president. They travelled frequently and played golf at many top locations around the country. They held many lifelong and supportive friendships with other couples, not only in the places they lived for years, but also from their winters in Fort Myers, Fla.

Mary Ellen also enjoyed spending many hours doing research on the Impressionist painter Mary Cassatt who was a third cousin of her father. She became quite knowledgeable and would often give presentations on her life and art.

After her husband’s death in 2002, she moved to Fort Wayne, Ind., in 2005, to be near her elder son, and resided for many years at Arbor Glen Retirement Community.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas, sister Dorothy, and brother Kenneth.

Survivors include her two sons, Edwin (Anne) Lovett of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Kenneth (Becky) Lovett of Stuart, Fla.; five grandchildren, Elizabeth (Richard) Malmstrom, Christopher (Bonnie) Lovett, Douglas (Christen) Lovett II, Alissa (Jay) Mahoney, Alexis Lovett; and eight great grandchildren.

Services will be held at a future date in Bella Vista, Ark. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Saint Anne Home and Retirement Community, 1900 Randallia Dr., Fort Wayne, Ind. 46805, or Cottey College (a PEO philanthropy), 1000 W Austin Blvd, Nevada, Mo. 64772.