Ellen Stanis, avid reader
Ellen Stanis, 91, passed away Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, at the Milford Center in Milford, where she resided for the last three years of her life. At the center she was surrounded by loving, caring and fun fellow residents, and a skilled, dedicated wonderful group of nurses, aides, activity leaders, cleaners and office staff workers.
Ellen was born June 22, 1925, in Schenectady, N.Y., to Lithuanian immigrant parents, Michael and Adele. She was predeceased by her husband Walter; her brother Edward; sister Frances; and nieces Joan and Pat. After graduating from Nott Terrace High School during the years of World War II, she worked at Union College and at the General Electric Company.
Ellen married Walter in 1947, lived briefly in his home state of New Jersey, and moved back to Schenectady, N.Y., where she and Walter raised two daughters, Nancy and Carol. Ellen worked for many years at Ellis Hospital in data processing. She was active in the local garden club and led a Girl Scout troop.
Upon retirement, Ellen and Walter moved with their dog Maria and cat Augie to Milford, and settled eventually in Rehoboth Beach. She was active with the local senior center there. Ellen kept her garden weed-free, her house dust-free, and her clothes wrinkle-free. She was an avid reader and her shelves were full of interesting books - biographies of our First Ladies and novels written by women, as well as lots of the classics and best sellers. She loved the beach and thought she and her husband had probably walked every mile of the Delaware coastline, as well as many miles of the beaches from Maine to Florida. She left behind an interesting shell collection.
Ellen is survived by her daughters Nancy Zeitler and her husband James and Carol Stanis, as well as nieces and nephews, Janet, Marilyn, Walter, Debbie, Howard, Donald, Kathy, Michael, Walter and Susie.
A Graveside Service will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 23, at Delaware Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro. All arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Dodd- Carey Chapel, Georgetown.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions made in Ellen's name to Meals on Wheels, 32409 Lewes-Georgetown Highway, Lewes, DE 19958.
Please visit Mrs. Stanis' Life Memorial Tribute page and sign the online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
