Faith Ellis Heneghan

Faith was born in 1933 in Concord, Massachusetts to Dorothea Loughlin Ellis and Frederick "Fish" Ellis. She recently passed away at the age of 92 in Naples, Florida surrounded by her loving family. Faith grew up primarily on the Tufts University Campus in Medford, Massachusetts. She was the "Queen of Damn Near Everything". Faith graduated Magna Cum Laude from Tufts and was an outstanding athlete who like her parents excelled in many sports. She was also the sorority president of Alpha Xi Delta. Most importantly, Tufts is where Faith met her husband of 66 years, John "Jack" Heneghan.

After graduation from Tufts, Faith taught and coached at Nauset and Duxbury Schools. She coached field hockey and tennis at Duxbury. During her long tenure as the varsity tennis coach, her teams won many South Shore League Championships, and she was named Coach of the Year by the Boston Globe twice. Despite her busy schedule as a teacher, coach, and mother to five young hellions, she remained active at Tufts as a member of the Alumnae Council and the first woman President of the Jumbo Club (athletic booster club).

Faith retired at 70 and spent her summers in a community of life-long friends at Little Sebago Lake in Maine where she continued to enjoy tennis, golf, waterskiing, biking, and rowing. Her Sebago people meant the world to her and became her extended family. She and her dear friend, Paula, began a community of love, friendship, and cocktails that would last their lifetimes and continue for multiple generations. Her life motto was "Nothing is worth more than today," which she personified through her love of adventure. It didn't matter the destination, if there was fun to be had, she was all in, especially if the trip involved birding.

In later life, Faith and Jack enjoyed being "snowbirds" at Wyndemere Country Club in Naples, Florida. They had many dear friends and were well-loved in the community. Faith continued to enjoy tennis into her eighties and also loved being a "Lady Niner" golfer.

Faith is survived by her 5 children and their spouses: Brian (Miriam), Terrance, Karen (David), Kevin (Rushna), and Sheila (Anthony). She is also survived by 13 adored grandchildren: Shannon (Philip), John (Dakotah), Riley, Keegan, Cormac, Ellis, Cody, Sierra, Davey (Stephanie), Laura, and Taylor (Juleah), Tiernan, and Finnian. She will also be dearly missed by her sister, Susan Costas, her three children: Kelly, Michael, Kerrie (Chris), and Susan's husband, Steve.

Faith's life was blessed with a beautiful family and amazing friends. She inspired many as a dedicated teacher and coach, but above all else, she was a wonderful mother, always providing love, strength, and support whenever we needed it. Her laugh and love for a little mischief will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Frederick and Dorothea Ellis Scholarship Fund at Tufts University 80 George St. Medford, MA 02155.

https://go.tufts.edu/ellisprize