Ellen Walsh, 66

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FRAMINGHAM – It takes a big heart to shape little minds and Ellen Walsh never missed an opportunity to teach a child. Whether it was bike riding or coloring or teaching kids to be a good friend, she thrived in all aspects when it came to caring for all the children in her life.

Ellen Marie (McGrath) Walsh, of Ashland, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, after a courageous 19-month battle with pancreatic cancer, which she fought with the force of a hurricane. She was 66 years old and the strongest person we know.

Ellen was married to her soul mate Jack for 44 years and they created the most epic love story for their children-Kellee, Kevin and Tim. Their partnership and devotion to each other is one for the ages and has always been defined as relationship goals for anyone around.

Ellen was so much to so many- the nucleus and heart of her family, a second mom to not only all her daycare children she watched and cared for in her 30 years at her in-home day care center, but also for every friend her children brought home and a friend to anyone in need. Ellen’s heart was as big as they come.

When you didn’t find Ellen being surrounded by all her children and family, she could be found blowing leaves for the entire neighborhood with her trusty backpack leaf blower, traveling the United States for 3 weeks every summer with Jack, riding her bike on the Cape Cod Canal or the Holliston Rail Trail, drinking wine and watching sunsets on the beach every summer Friday night, playing and loving on her grand pets, baking Ellen’s famous brownies or ice cream pies for everyone around or sharing her contagious laugh and smile with anyone nearby.

Ellen is survived by her best friend and husband Jack, her children she loved more than life itself, Kellee Senic and her husband Boris of Walpole, Kevin Walsh and his wife Marianne of Dennis and Tim Walsh and his partner Chris Gathman of Dorchester. Her grandchildren, who were truly the light of her life: Maggie, Lexie and Matty Senic. Her grand-pets who will miss all their Ellen time and spoiling, Riley Rose, Joey and Tuukka. She is also survived by her brother Paul McGrath and his wife Susan of Chatham and her brother-in-law Jimmy Walsh and his wife Karen of Worcester. She was predeceased by her parents Paul and Anne McGrath and her sister Alison McGrath. Ellen also leaves behind many cousins, daycare children and their families who never leave Ellen’s circle, and so many friends. The family would also like to acknowledge and thank Mass General Oncology, specifically Dr Ryan Nipp and Ellen’s oncology nurse Kate Dalzell for all the love and support they provided throughout Ellen’s fight.

Family and friends will honor and remember Ellen’s life by gathering for visiting hours in the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home, 11 Lincoln St. Framingham on Friday, August 19 from 3-7 p.m.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday morning in St. Cecilia Church, 54 Etsy St., Ashland at 9 o’clock.

Interment will follow in Wildwood Cemetery in Ashland.

In lieu of Flowers please consider donations in Ellen’s name to the Holliston Rail Trail: http://hollistontrails.org/ways-to-contribute/become-a-sponsor/  or Ashland Rail Trail : https://www.ashlandtrail.org/donate

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