I met "Mom" when I was 19 years old in her kitchen in Milford, MA. Three years later, I married her youngest daughter and became part of her family. She always treated me better than I deserved, and I came to understand why my wife was such a kind, generous person from getting to know Stef. It was one of the honors of my life to have her as a mother-in-law, and we all miss her being around our house and filling our lives with her joy. I have a better understanding of who Jesus Chris is because I saw her love other people well beyond what society would consider normal. I watched a disease straight out of hell strip her of her mind but still fail to overcome the regenerative power of God's Spirit living in her. Even in her last days of utter feebleness, I still saw that divine image of Jesus enabling her to move toward others rather than collapse in self absorption. Stef cared without asking anything in return. She shared whatever she could. Her impact on my life has been profound, and I still am grieving her loss over a year later. Her life and loss reminds me that life is hard, but God is good. I look forward to seeing her again in that future resurrection when what has been sown corrupted is raised to new life that will be eternal and incorruptible. Until then.

John,Heather,Tomania&Ben;
I was SO..... saddened to hear about the loss of Your Wife,Your Mother and most of all a Dear Loving Friend.❤️
I am reminiscent of the Wonderful time's in Maine at the cabin,& on your Uncle's Boat & Hampton Beach , the movies ,VBS...swimming in the pool ‼️⛱️🏖️ as well working swing shift ,"Per Diam* with ur Mom we had Soo much fun‼️ And then go work out together in Milford very tired and silly...🫂🫂🫂🌸I miss you Stefica more than you will ever know....Thank you for being a great friend and a Blessing to My Family and Myself🫂 ❤️🛐💜🙏🫂✝️💜✝️💜✝️ oops forgot about our Bowling date with the Thompson's we all had a blast...😎✔️Love You‼️🫂Miss You...🥺We'll SEE YOU.... again 💯❣️ Glad you're with Jesus' and not suffering any longer----
Hope your folks met you at the gate‼️✝️💜🛐What a Wonderful SUPRIZE for your Mom & Dad if so....
Till we meet again .... HUNNY 💕💓💞💕💓💖💝💘💞💓💕🌸
Awaiting the "Trumpet" call...
Allan& Liz.💗💜💚🫂

I learned from my mom by watching her life. She served others selflessly and loved people. She taught me how to be a wife, mother, and friend. She loved the Lord and shared her faith with others. She always encouraged me to work hard and to give my best effort. She taught me how to make the best lasagna, stuffed peppers and pita. She stayed with me for weeks when my first child was born. We would sit together in the living room, take care of my baby and knit. Those days we had together were so special to me. I grew closer to my mom as a result. I leaned on her and she was always there for me. I loved my mom and always will.

Ellis and McKearin Families

Stef and Ben Ellis, Grace and David McKearin

John, thanking you for sharing this about Stef. So sorry to hear of her passing. Glad you got to have the vacations in Europe together.

Stef was a great neighbor, friend, walking buddy, and tennis partner. We shared some great times together that I will treasure. I loved hearing her stories about her life. She was the best “lob queen” on the tennis court. You will be missed.

My Prayers for John, Heather, Tomania and Ben.. Your Mom was awesome , tremendous Blessing to me and Betsy . Wonderful sense of humor and a faithful fried to my family. Always a smile and encouraging words.

Dear Ellis Family,

I was greatly saddened to hear of Mrs.Ellis’s passing. I spent a great deal of time with the Ellis family , as a childhood friend of Heather’s , miss you H. Mrs.Ellis was such a fun mom, always up beat, positive, giving and kind. So many happy memories of Mrs.Ellis : movies , trips to Maine , driving school @ Labontes in Milford, late night chats and laughter around the kitchen table in Milford @ sleepovers, a truly exceptional human.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers . The pain of loosing a mom/ wife is overwhelmingly difficult , no matter what your age. Her memory will forever live on in each of you ,her grandchildren, and all the people she touched in life .
She is @ peace ,no pain, no suffering surrounded by her heavenly family.
In my prayers,
xo
Leah Olson

Kindness, Laughter and a Radiant Smile are words that immediately come to mind when I think of Mrs. Ellis and my memories of her. I'm sure this is the dominant theme from all who she crossed paths with. A lovely human!

My mom was a gift from God to us all. She loved us kids so much and adored my father. She always told me growing up to marry someone like him. She was always very giving and the hardest worker I knew. She loved the Lord and told many people about her faith in Christ. I will miss my mom every day until I see her again in glory. Our God is so good and gracious and I am so thankful that she will spend eternity with Him.

Stef & I met on a cruise in a gathering of stitchers. Stef & I sat next to each other & became friends. She was knitting something for her daughter's expected twins (as I recall). Whichever one of arrived at the group's daily meetings first would save a seat for the other one. We discovered a mutual love of cruising, family, and that we did not live far from each other. She gave me a red earrings & necklace set that I treasure each time I see it my jewelry box or wear it.
She was a sweet, generous, kind person. I will miss her.

I spent years in Stef’s home as Tomania’s friend and was always welcomed and treated like family. Her house was a second home for me. Stef was a truly hospitable person and had the great gift of finding humor in any situation; she wasn’t afraid to laugh at herself, and taught us not to take ourselves too seriously! She could and would talk to us about anything and everything with frankness and love (and laughter), which is a great gift to any young person. I will always hold the memories of those years spent with her and her family dear to my heart. I thank God for her and for her example of generous hospitality to myself and so many others. I’m so glad she is free from pain and with our Savior and those who have gone before us; she will, however, be dearly missed, and our prayers are with her family.

So very sorry for the heartache of loss. 💔 I had the privilege of getting to know Stef through ladies Bible study at Grace Fellowship. I am so thankful that you both did so much traveling before Covid and before this disease became so debilitating. Truly the care for her by you and her family is a beautiful witness for Christ. Praying that our Savior draws so near to you as you grieve these days of missing her until that great reunion day- our sure Hope. I will miss her too until then. ♥️