Ellin Louise Paquette

Ellin Louise Paquette, ("Addie"), 76, of Villanova, PA and Vero Beach , FL died peacefully on February 22, 2013 at her home in Villanova. She is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years, Joseph F. Paquette, Jr. who is the former Chairman & CEO of Peco Energy. Ellin was born in Wyncote, Pa. She spent many childhood summers with her family at Camp Pennesseewasee (Lake of the Beautiful Lady) in Norway, Me. She attended The Academy of Notre Dame in Wyncote until it closed, and was a graduate of St Basil Academy in Jenkintown. Ellin attended Temple University. Before getting married she worked for the Bell Telephone Company and later taught kindergarten at Achillea Academy. Ellin met the love of her life while walking home from the Jenkintown train station. Joe had recently moved into an apartment across the street from her house. The cute girl from the telephone company met the handsome young man from the electric company and they quickly began what would become more than a half century of walking side by side. They married in 1958 and raised three children in Abington, Pa. Ellin was involved in many activities throughout her life. She was a Cub Scout den mother and Catechism teacher when her children were young, as well as being involved in the Abington Hospital Auxiliary, serving as past President of the Junior Auxiliary. She was involved in Questers and a board member of Philadelphia Hospitality. An accomplished gardener, Ellin was a member of the Suburban Garden Club. She was very proud of the club's blue ribbon winning display "Monet's Garden" in the 1991 Philadelphia Flower Show, which she helped to design and execute. Her personal garden in Gladwyne was included on the itinerary of numerous garden tours as well as being featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer's Design section. One of her favorite ways to relax was puttering around the garden among the birds and butterflies, pulling weeds and listening to music in her potting shed. She was a passionate artist, with a primary focus on photography and mixed media collage. She was skilled in the use of 35 mm and medium format film photography and for several years had a darkroom in her home. She loved experimenting with alternative process techniques such as Polaroid transfer work. Ellin spent many enjoyable hours over a span of decades in the art studios of Bucks County Community College, Abington Art Center, and Main Line Art Center. She participated in numerous art exhibits over the years. The artistic spirit never left her and she astonished those around her by continuing to make photographs and assemble collage materials until the final weeks of her life. Ellin will be most remembered for her devotion to family and friends. Her upbeat and caring personality caught the attention of everyone she met. Her signature petite frame contained an enormous heart filled with compassion. She was adored by her eight grandchildren and was so much a part of their lives. She was instrumental in helping them pursue their passions and dreams. Each grandchild will cherish the memory of their special solo trip with Addie and Hoppy the summer after 8th grade. She enthusiastically kept in touch with the day to day lives of her grandchildren by learning how to text and use Facebook, despite her charming techno-dyslexia. Someone was always being called upon to show her how to log back onto her favorite websites or explain what "the cloud" was. Ellin and her husband loved to travel. She was an avid tennis player and golfer, and was a lifelong advocate for the virtues of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Ellin was always moving forward. After her husband retired the two of them were inseparable and spent the last ten winters in Florida. Ellin's love for "her Joe" never waned . She was a role model to all, always putting marriage, family and faith in God above all else. Ellin was an exceptional wife, mother, sister and grandmother, and will be greatly missed by so many. Ellin was a member of the Acorn Club, The Philadelphia Country Club , Huntingdon Valley Country Club, Merion Cricket Club and the Moorings in Vero Beach, FL. In addition to her husband, Ellin is survived by her son Christopher H. Paquette, and her daughters Mary Alexandra (Paul) Anastasio and Ellin Paquette (F. Christian) Haab. She was the beloved grandmother of Joseph, Nicholas and Peter Anastasio; Lauren, Christopher Jr. and William Paquette, and Lara and Eric Haab. She is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey Hubbard Brush of Wyncote,PA. Surviving also are loving sisters Peggy Webster of Paoli, Pa., Catherine Pagel of Paradise, CA and Barbara McLaughlin of Oreland, PA. , and ten nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held on Wednesday February 27th from 6 to 8pm at Chadwick & McKinney Funeral Home, 30 East Athens Ave, Ardmore. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St John Vianney Church in Gladwyne at 10:30AM on Thursday February 28th. In lieu of flowers, Ellin has requested that donations may be made in her honor to The Country Day School of the Sacred Heart. 480 S Bryn Mawr Ave. Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 Online Condolences at www.chadwickmckinney.com