Delores G. “Dee” (Carl) Ellis, 90, a longtime resident of Framingham, passed away early Thursday morning December 21, 2023 after a period of declining health. She fought a brave and courageous battle, defying the odds up until the very end, with dignity and grace. Born in Niagara Falls, New York, to Emory & Marion (Crimmons) Carl, she was the beloved wife and soul mate of Donald Ellis for 57 years.
Dee was a 1951 graduate of Wilson Central High School in NY and earned her bachelor’s degree in teaching from Brockport State University in 1955. Caring, kind-hearted, and humble, she did missionary work in post war Germany assisting with their recovery efforts, and sharing her experiences with her church family upon her arrival back in the states.
Her love of children and the joy they brought Dee was evident in her 10 years of teaching elementary school. She met the love of her life Don, in Buffalo through friends, although she didn’t know it at the time. They were reunited by chance years later at Boston University where Dee was taking classes. Their first date was the following day which included a walk at Walden Pond and dinner at Ken’s Steak House. They were married in Buffalo in 1966 and have been inseparable ever since. Their grandchildren referred to them as “bookends,” one never being without the other. Theirs was a true love story.
Happiness came in the form of skiing, golfing, a good tennis match, playing bridge with friends, wintering in Siesta Key/Sarasota, and spending time with all of her family during the summer at their family cottage on Cordova Lake. Dee loved to travel but was equally as happy when she got back home. She had a passion for antiquing which turned into a business venture once her children were older. She looked forward to the Brimfield Antique show each year. Dee was exceptionally cultured and had a love of the arts. She was passionate about sharing her love of culture with friends and family and would bring them to various historic landmarks in New England when they would visit. Dee loved to spend time with her grandchildren baking, going to the library and reading stories, taking them to swim lessons, and going on many adventures. Dee also spent several years providing daycare to all 4 grandchildren which created an even closer bond.
Family was Dee’s first priority; she embodied love and family. She is survived by her dear husband Don, her children, Diane Burke & her husband Tim, and Robert & his wife Cory, her grandchildren, Kiera and Kylie Burke, and Brayden and Gavin, and her brother, Duane Carl. Besides her parents, Dee was predeceased by her brother, Delbert Carl.
Family and friends will honor and remember Dee’s life by gathering for visiting hours in the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home, 11 Lincoln St. Framingham on Thursday, January 4th from 4-7PM. Her Funeral Service will be celebrated in the Funeral Home on Friday morning at 10:30 am. Interment will follow in Edgell Grove Cemetery.
To share a memory with Dee’s family, kindly visit www.mccarthyfh.com
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