Ellen Waters Thomas
1945 - 2015
Ellen Waters-Thomas, 69, of Harwich, MA passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2015 after a valiant two year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Ellen was born in Middletown, CT to Raymond T. and Pauline (Strom) Waters on November 8, 1945. She graduated from Cromwell High School in 1963 then attended Middlesex Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1966 as a Registered Nurse. Ellen resided for many years in Newington, CT; she was a school nurse at Newington High School and served on the Board of Education. After raising three daughters, she returned to nursing full time where she was employed at New Britain General Hospital. After retiring from nursing, Ellen moved to Cape Cod. She gained employment as an office manager at Olsen Plumbing & Heating in Dennis, MA where she worked for many years prior to being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Ellen is preceded in death by her father. She is survived by her mother Pauline Waters of Brewster, MA; three daughters: Donna Ripley and husband Michael Mordarski of Meriden, CT, Sharon O'Connor of Brewster, MA and Karen Ripley of S. Yarmouth, MA; three grandchildren Kathryn, Christopher and Matthew Mordarski of Meriden, CT; three sisters Karen Henderson of Berlin, CT, Paula Webster of Deep River, CT and Dale O'Toole of Bristol, CT and long-time companion Donald Bodfish of Harwich, MA.
Ellen greeted everyone she met with a friendly smile and sparkle in her eyes. She loved animals, especially her cats, as well as gardening, music and reading. She was forever an optimist and a firm believer in random acts of kindness. Her beautiful spirit will be missed by those whose lives she touched.
Her memorial visitation will be held at Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA 02653 on Saturday, March 21, 2015 from 1-3p.m. followed by her memorial service at 3pm in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellen's memory can be made to Hope Hospice c/o McCarthy Care Center, 73 Service Rd., E. Sandwich, MA 02537 and consider performing a random act of kindness in her memory.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the McCarthy Care Center and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Oncology Department and Palliative Care Center for their support. Condolences may be left in Ellen's online guestbook at www.nickersonfunerals.com.