Esther Mae "Terry" Ellis Obituary (1942 - 2017)

WINSLOW--Esther Mae “Terry” Ellis of Winslow, Maine, passed away on Monday, September 4, 2017. She died the way she lived; independently and with dignity. Terry was born on March 29, 1942, in Waterville, Maine, daughter of Norman Dennis and Carolyn Brooks Knowles. She attended Fairfield Schools as a youth, later returning to earn her GED, then her High School Diploma, then an Associate’s Degree in Secretarial Science from KVVTI. On March 24, 1959, she married the love of her life, David L. Ellis Sr. and quickly became a military wife, a role with many challenges, all of which she embraced. Terry and David traveled and lived on many different Naval Air Bases, growing their family along the way. Dave and Terry finally received orders to return to Maine to serve at the Brunswick NAS in 1971. They settled their family in China, Maine and he left for Sicily, where unfortunately Dave suddenly passed away at the age of 32. At the age of 29, Terry became the sole parent of their four children, Blaine, David, Brian, and Heidi. As with everything in her life, she approached this head on, always making sure they were her priority. For 18 years, she was known as the “voice of Boothby and Bartlett,” making many friends along the way. Family meant everything to Terry. All sporting events, plays, dance recitals, and holidays were important family times for her. All of her children and grandchildren know the phrase “Honey Child” and who that belonged to. We were all her “Honey Child” and she was sure to relay to all of us just how much she loved us. She was predeceased by her parents; her infant brother, Roger; her mother and father in law, Mona and Gerald Ellis; her sister-in-law, Gina Ellis; grandson, Ryan Ferrigan; and several close cousins. Her survivors include son, Blaine Ellis and fiancé, Robin Couture; son, David L. Ellis Jr., and wife, Heidi; son, Brian Ellis and wife, Janet; daughter, Heidi Louten and husband, Rick; eleven grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren with two on the way; her in laws, Joseph “Skip” Ellis, Claire and Tom Pelotte, Roxanne and Margo Ellis, and Gary and Marie Ellis; her sister and brother-in-law, Delores and Rene Field; and stepdad, Tom Elliot; and special friends, Pam Morrison and Freda Grant. Our apologies to any that we may have forgotten. The family would like to thank all that contributed to her independence these last few months. Visitation will be on Friday, September 8 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. with a service immediately following at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main Street, Fairfield.