Mary Ellen Hosinski

Mary Ellen (Balfe) Hosinski of Jonesboro, AR, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2026 at Phil and Flo Jones Hospice House, surrounded by her children and numerous grandchildren.

Born and raised in West Palm Beach, FL, Mary was one of five children of Robert and Martha Balfe. She was a sister to the (late) Beverly Belush, Martha Sue Green (her identical twin), Robert Balfe II, and Barbara Stein. She was a graduate of St. Ann’s High School and received a nursing degree from St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing. After her marriage to John P. Hosinski, she lived, worked, and raised a growing family in Chicago, IL, and Tallahassee, FL, before settling down in Jonesboro in 1965, where John began as a professor at Arkansas State University and Mary continued her career in nursing at St. Bernards.

Living in Jonesboro for just over 60 years, Mary’s sense of community engagement and service were notable. A parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Church, Mary served in a wide range of services and ministries, including service as a school board member, religious education teacher, youth group coordinator, volunteer at the Catholic Newman Center, member of Mary’s Heart women’s study group, and volunteer with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Her career as a nursing professional was marked by years of service as a floor nurse, evening shift supervisor, and an early advocate and founder of St. Bernards Home Health service. As a home health nurse, she traveled across the region providing care to the neediest neighbors in our community. Retiring from active nursing in the late 1980s, Mary transitioned to a second career as a legal assistant, using her clinical knowledge to assist in research and case preparation at two Jonesboro law firms.

Outside of her work and church community, she was also a certified master gardener, member of the Altrusa Club, volunteer with the St. Bernards Auxiliary, and a volunteer and former local board member with Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA).

Mary was married to Dr. John P. Hosinski (d. 2002) for over 40 years and is survived by her seven children, Jean (Paul) Brooking, Julie (Mat) Bregande, Janet (Gary) Stevenson, Jackie (Brent) Medders, Martha (Tony) Bartels, Mary (Michael) Saig, and John Al (Elizabeth) Hosinski. She was a beloved Nana to 21 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

To her children, she was a master at healing colds, mending torn clothing, baking the best cookies, and navigating the family van on swim team trips and family vacations. To her friends and relatives, she will be remembered for her easy-going friendliness, her willingness to pitch in and help, her love of conversation and community, and her patronage of Cardinal baseball and Notre Dame football. A pillar in her community, she was like a saint to those who knew her. She will be missed and not easily forgotten.

Funeral services are planned for Monday, September 21 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Visitation at 9:30 am will be followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 am.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Blessed Sacrament Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 1107 E Highland Drive, Jonesboro, AR 72401