Mary Albright

Durango resident Mary Ellen Albright died of cancer Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, at her home. She was 55. Ms. Albright was born to Charles and Mary Ellen Albright on March 16, 1956, in Baltimore. She was the youngest of seven children and the only girl. She was first educated as a registered nurse and worked in intensive and cardiac care as well as holistic medicine. Ms. Albright and her future husband, Lenny Papineau, met at the Shock-Trauma Center in Baltimore. The couple married Oct. 31, 1986, in Baltimore. “Her infectious smile was a welcomed reprieve from the stress of the day,” her family said. “They would often challenge each other with a wonderful sense of adventure.” Continuing to expand her knowledge of healing techniques, Ms. Albright earned a master’s degree in acupuncture. She created an inpatient/outpatient model of acupuncture for Mercy Regional Medical Center, where she had worked since 1991, when she and her family moved to Durango. The couple welcomed their son, Andrew, in January 2001. “The gift of a family enabled the mother in Mary Ellen to surface,” her family said. “That famous smile was now miles wide, and her love was at its fullest expression." Ms. Albright is survived by her husband of 25 years, Lenny Papineau, of Durango; son, Andrew Papineau, of Durango; mother, Mary Ellen Albright, of Eldersburg, Md.; brothers Bud Albright and John Albright, both of Durango, Ed Albright of Flagstaff, Ariz., Michael Albright of Reisterstown, Md., and Gerard Albright of Eldersburg; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and extended family members. A celebration of life will occur during the summer solstice on June 21, 2012. The exact time and place will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers or food, memorial contributions may be to Mel’s Angel, c/o Alpine Bank, 175 Mercado St., Suite 119, Durango, CO 81301. Reprinted from the Durango Herald