Ellen D. Ellis

Ellen “Dixie” Ellis, age 93, of Quincy died March 9, 2013 at The John Scott House in Braintree after a brief illness.

Beloved wife of the late William “Bill” Ellis. Loving mother of Patricia Artis and husband Jack Phillips of Quincy, William F. Ellis of Quincy, Nancy Costa and husband Joseph of Norwood, and Suzanne Ellis-Leonard and husband Jeff of Rutland, VT. Sister of the late: Peggy LeClair of Hingham; Theresa O’Brien of Norwood; John Dickson of Napa, CA; Warren Dickson of Norwood; and Donald Dickson of Spokane, WA. Loving grandmother of Gabriel Aris of Fort Collins, CO, Darren Costa of Fort Myers, FL, and Matthew Costa of Boston. Loving great-grandmother of AJ and Rielle of Fort Collins, CO. Dixie also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, friends, and health care workers who touched our lives with their generosity and caring spirit.

Dixie was born in Boston, grew up in Allston, and graduated from Brighton High School in 1938. She married the love of her life, Bill, in 1942. They and were married 67 years until his death in 2009. Dixie was a wonderful mother, wife, sister and friend. She taught her children how to swim, skate, ski, and drive. She was a role model, supportive to family and friends, and enthusiastic for life. Dixie was an avid reader, traveler, and long-time resident of Quincy. She was a thoughtful, decisive person, who valued action, loyalty, and commitment. She was the backbone of operations at Heavenly Hill Ski Tow, at Furnace Brook Golf Course where families and children took learn-to-ski lessons with the Quincy Recreation Department. She was a founding member of The Mogul Meisters, local skiers, who enjoyed social events and weekly trips to the mountains. When she was in her 50’s she accomplished a life-long dream and earned an Associate’s Degree “cum laude” at Quincy College. She worked hard for her children to have access to various educational opportunities and believed in working for community organizations. She enjoyed swimming with children with special needs at the Canton Hospital School. Dixie was the secretary of St. John’s Mother’s Club, treasurer of the Mogul Meisters, an active member of the Quincy Girl Scouts, Ladies Auxiliary of Squantum Yacht Club, and Wollaston Garden Club. Dixie sailed Hustlers and Day Sailors in Quincy Bay to the Harbor Islands and found time for golf. She was a passionate re-cycler and gardening role model. Each daughter is a member of a garden club. She enjoyed big band music, dancing, and loved her English heritage. She cherished the beach and the company of friends and family on the Cape and her summer home in Sandwich, MA.  Since 2003, the Abigail Adams Adult Day Center in Weymouth has provided Dixie with memory care activities and the opportunities and skills to live well with Alzheimer’s, while remaining in her own home. She lived a full life with Alzheimer’s, never complaining, always accepting, and sharing her love and kindness with those she met. She was cherished by the caring and skilled staff at Abigail Adams Adult Day Center in Weymouth, and the compassionate staff at John Scott House in Braintree, and loved by her home health aide, Vicky McGinn, of Quincy.

Friends and relatives are invited to visitation on Thursday, March 14 in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock Street, Quincy/Wollaston from 8:30 – 9:30 AM prior to the funeral Mass in St. Ann’s Church, 757 Hancock St., Wollaston, at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow in Mount Wollaston Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ellen’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St, Watertown, MA 02472, or at the website: www.alz.org/manh/ or to The Friends of Thomas Crane Public Library, 40 Washington St., Quincy, MA 02169, or at the website: http://thomascranelibrary.org/friends.