Ellen L. Walsh

A truly beautiful person has peacefully left us to be with the Lord and the Angels, with her family and the caring people at Kaplan House Hospice at her side. She was the beloved wife of J. Russell Walsh with whom she shared 54 years of marriage.
Born at the family home on Hart Street in Beverly Farms, MA, Ellen(Mollet) Walsh was the daughter of the late Ann Marie (Cloutman) and Jack Mollet and was later lovingly raised by her grandmother Nora Cloutman, Aunt Mary Louise (Cloutman) and Uncle John Splaine who played a central role in her life and whose love and support shaped the magnificent woman she became.
Ellen was raised in Beverly Farms and graduated from Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody, MA in 1966. She subsequently graduated from Cardinal Cushing College in Brookline, MA, spent time and received a certification in French at Grenoble University in France, and also a Master's Degree in Education from Chestnut Hill College, Chestnut Hill, PA.
Ellen was loved by many and loved many things. Among them were her large beautiful family, her teaching career, her days at West Beach with beloved family and friends and especially her four daughters and their families. The day after their wedding, Ellen and Russ moved to St. Louis where Ellen taught public school in East St. Louis, while Russ completed his graduate education at Washington University. From there, Ellen taught at a Catholic School in Northport, Long Island, NY when Russ was in residency at Huntington Hospital. One year later, they moved to Norristown, PA where Ellen briefly taught in the Norristown School District and then began her 22 year career as a 1st grade teacher at Gwynedd Mercy Academy in Gwynedd, PA, and Russ began his health care administration career. It was here in Pennsylvania, that Ellen and Russ started their family, having four daughters who attended Gwynedd Mercy Academy for grade school and high school and made lasting friendships on Horseshoe Rd. Once their girls graduated and were on their own, Ellen and Russ moved back home to Beverly Farms, MA where Ellen completed her final teaching role at Smith School in Danvers, MA before retiring and was reunited with her cherished siblings and lifelong friends Dara Zapata and Susan O'Brien. Throughout her teaching career her greatest joy was teaching younger age children, especially the first grade. When not teaching or enjoying time with her family and friends, she and Russ made many unforgettable memories traveling. Most notably, visiting numerous countries throughout Europe and always stopping at her Happy Place which was Paris, France to wander the city and the cafes and restaurants.
Ellen is survived by her husband J. Russell (Russ) Walsh, her children Alison Despathy and her husband Michael, Andrea Reyna and her partner Jen Rodenburg, Megan Walsh and her partner Silas Clark, and Maureen Ondek and her husband David. In addition to her own children Ellen and Russ also embraced as children of the heart, John O'Neill and Lorraine (O'Neill) Valletti. She also leaves five grandchildren, Isaac and Adair Reyna, Miles (Destee), Nate and Molly Despathy as well as special grand children, Tristan and Ethan Ondek and Gregory and James O'Neill and two great grandchildren, Maverick and Weston Despathy.
She is also survived by her siblings, Judy Copper (Brian), Connie Varoudakis (John), Debbie Crosbie (Butch), Fred Splaine (Patti), Jay Splaine (Judy), Mariann Splaine Henry (Tom) and Maureen Nardella (Michael).
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, January 9 at 11 a.m. at St. Margaret of Scotland Church, 672 Hale St., Beverly Farms. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours prior to the service at St. Margaret's from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Ellen's memory to Hodgkin's International (www.hodgkinsinternational.com) or Beverly Children's Learning Center (bclckids.org). Arrangements by Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.