Mary Ellen Mackenzie

Heaven has gained another angel as Mary Ellen MacKenzie (80) passed away peacefully at home on August 20, 2026. Mary Ellen will be reunited in heaven with her parents Julian McCranie and Mary Ellen Heston McCranie and her sister Harriett Phillips. She is survived by her husband of 56 years Freddie MacKenzie, Jr., daughter Ashley Gray (Scott), son Josh MacKenzie (Katie), four beautiful granddaughters, Lillian Heston Gray, MacKenzie Isabel Gray, Mary Kathryn MacKenzie and Elizabeth Fleming MacKenzie; her brothers Julian McCranie Jr., William McCranie, her sister Harriett’s four daughters that were like her sisters, Debbie Azis, Kathy Winn, Lee Watson and Sharon Chaykovsky, many other loved nieces and nephews.Mary Ellen was born in DeFuniak Springs, FL on December 2, 1945, she was raised in Gainesville, FL and graduated from Gainesville High School in 1963. She attended Central Florida Community College in Ocala where she was a cheerleader, and while in Ocala met the love of her life, Freddie.

Mary Ellen was a flight attendant with National Airlines traveling the country as a young woman, then worked for several years at Sun Bank, before what she considered her greatest achievement, becoming a mother. While raising a family, she continued to work side by side with her husband Freddie to manage the bookkeeping of MacKenzie Realty (50 years in operation), maintaining her real estate license to sell a house or two and network.

Mary Ellen devoted herself to the Ocala community as a long-time active member of Children Service League (now Junior League) helping to raise thousands of dollars for the local communities in need as well as participating in the Giving Tree program at First Presbyterian Church. Her green thumb kept her home full of beautiful plants and fresh flowers, including an expansive garden with fresh vegetables. As a member of the Ocala Garden Club (president of Ivy Circle) she loved learning about plants and flower arranging and volunteered with many beautification projects around Ocala.

Mary Ellen loved the Florida Gators. In her youth, she enjoyed the traditional Gator Homecoming party her parents threw every year. She attended countless game and tailgates with friends and the traditional houseboat trip up the St. John’s River to the FL/GA game in Jacksonville.

Mary Ellen loved to travel with her family and friends, with fond memories of driving California coast, skiing the slopes of Courchevel France, snorkeling the waters of Abaco & Exuma, and hiking the Amalfi coast. Her all-time favorite trips were to her “homeland” of Ireland, Scotland, and countless adventures in Boca Grande, FL.

She was the ultimate hostess, always entertaining with a beautiful setting and wonderful food. From hosting big family Thanksgivings to her frequent bridge games, spending time with her friends and family was the most precious to her. Mary Ellen was a true matriarch of her large family, guiding so many of them through life and playing a deeply influential role in the lives of her granddaughters.

A private graveside service with immediate family will be held at the MacKenzie Family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery, followed by public funeral services at the First Presbyterian Church of Ocala on Tuesday, September 8th at 2pm. A celebration of life will immediately follow at The Country Club of Ocala and all who knew her are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Francis T & Frederick MacKenzie Scholarship or the Rudy & Dorthy MacKenzie Scholarship at the College of Central Florida in Ocala.