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Who was Mary Ann Phelan?
Mary Ann Phelan was the mother of Martin Sheen, a famous American actor who starred in The West Wing, Apocalypse Now, and Badlands. She was born on May 22, 1903, in Borrisokane, County Tipperary, Ireland. She married Francisco Estévez, a Spanish immigrant, and moved to the United States. They had 10 children, nine boys and a girl, including Martin Sheen and Joe Estevez, who also became actors
How did Mary Ann Phelan die?
Mary Ann Phelan died on August 1, 1951, in Dayton, Ohio, when Martin Sheen was only 11 years old. She suffered from a heart ailment and had a fatal heart attack. She was 48 years old at the time of her death. She was buried in Calvary Cemetery, Kettering, Montgomery, Ohio, along with her husband, who died in 1974
How did Mary Ann Phelan’s death affect Martin Sheen?
Martin Sheen was devastated by his mother’s death and faced the possibility of living in an orphanage or a foster home. However, he and his siblings were able to stay together with the help of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Dayton. Martin Sheen later said that his mother’s death was the most traumatic event of his life and that he still missed her every day. He also said that he inherited his mother’s Irish sense of humor and storytelling
What did Martin Sheen do to honor his mother’s memory?
Martin Sheen changed his name from Ramon Estevez to Martin Sheen in honor of his mother’s maiden name, Phelan. He also adopted the stage name Sheen from the Catholic theologian and bishop Fulton J. Sheen, whom his mother admired. He said that he wanted to use his mother’s name as a tribute to her and to his Irish heritage. He also said that he felt closer to his mother by using her name
Conclusion
Mary Ann Phelan was the mother of Martin Sheen, a renowned actor who lost her at a young age. She died of a heart attack in 1951, leaving behind a large family and a lasting legacy. Martin Sheen honored his mother by changing his name and following her example of humor and storytelling. Mary Ann Phelan’s cause of death was tragic, but her life was inspiring
