Ellen Joyce Gardner LARSON

LARSON, Ellen Joyce Gardner

Ellen Larson, of Amston, ended her long and difficult struggle with scleroderma and pulmonary arterial hypertension at home and in her sleep in the early morning hours on April 12. Ellen was born on August 17, 1941, the daughter of Frederick and Mae Sloan Gardner. She attended Cohanzie School in Waterford and was a 1959 graduate of New London High School. Ellen was predeceased by her parents and her sister Barbara Doerfler of Waterford and Barbara's husband Carl. She also outlived her faithful companions, a terrier Max and four beagles, Ginger, Maggie, Bud, and Molly. Ellen is survived by her husband Douglas of Amston; her son Erik and granddaughter Ana of Cabot, VT. She leaves two nephews, Frederick Doerfler and his wife Lisa Manwaring, of Norwich, and Gary Doerfler and his wife Kelley, of Waterford; grandniece Elizabeth Perkins of North Stonington; grandnephew Sloan Doerfler of Waterford; also a brother-in-law, Edwin Larson of Darnestown, MD, and his wife Marjorie. She also leaves very dear friends, Liliane Allegretti of Niantic, Susan McKinnon of Deer Isle, ME, Anne Engdahl of Lebanon, Kathleen and James Dillner of Amston; and brother-in-law David Larson of Oakdale who all were sources of great comfort during her long illness. Her companions, exceedingly vocal and constantly under-foot beagles Miles and Mojo, also survive her. Ellen had a special affection for her long-time physician, Dr. Robert E. Levin, of East Lyme, who always made her smile. Ellen retired from the staff at Lebanon Sports Centre in Lebanon in 2001. Earlier she had been employed at Sears in New London and in the volunteer office at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London. She served as a Cub Scout Den mother and as a teacher's helper at Hebron Elementary School in the 1980s. Ellen enjoyed the care of wildlife, gardening, and cooking throughout her life. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellen's memory may be made to Concordia Lutheran Church, 40 Pitkin Street, Manchester, CT 06040, or to Protector of Animals, P.O. Box 24, South Glastonbury, CT 06073.
A service of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 20 at Concordia Lutheran Church in Manchester. Interment will be in Jordan Cemetery in New London at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. Condolence messages may be left on Mrs. Larson's memorial page at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.