Jane Ellis

Jane Ellis passed away recently after a full life, well lived. Resting peacefully in her home, she was surrounded by her children and her cherished photos - reminders of family, friends and adventures near and far.

Jane was born on August 17, 1935 in Springfield, NJ to Harry and Edith Boiles. As a summer baby, you would never find Jane too far from a beach.

Jane grew up in the booming post-war years, attending public schools in Springfield - where she perfected her lovely penmanship - and summering at her family's Jersey Shore vacation home in Brielle, with sister Nancy, brother Bob, and lifelong friends Ella Mae and Janet. When not in school or at the beach, you might have found Jane stocking shelves or prepping dog food in the back of her father's pet supply business in Millburn.

After high school, Jane enrolled at Moravian College, where she bumped into Chet Ellis at a Lafayette fraternity party. The two became fast friends, and four years later, married and moved to Southern California where they had their first daughter, Suzanne.

Next came son Michael, and by the early 60's the growing family had found a new home in Cohasset, with daughter Pamela completing the trinity. Jane often wondered at the luck that led them to live here. "We had a map and stumbled upon Cohasset, and it turned out to be the most beautiful place in the world," she would muse.

While raising her family, Jane threw herself into healthy cooking long before it was in vogue. With a large garden, and mastering both the crockpot and yogurt maker, Jane and Chet kept their brood well fed. Cohasset was an eclectic and vibrant community in the 70's, and many spirited characters passed through the Ellis household. The gatherings at 33 Tower Lane were memorable; costume parties, all day pig roasts, and disco showdowns were not uncommon.

Always fair-minded and vocal, Jane threw herself into local politics with the League of Women Voters, helping pass the ERA, and supporting various political campaigns. What was particularly impressive to her family was that she did all this while maintaining a 22 year career as a business teacher and guidance counselor at Hingham High School in addition to earning a Master's degree in Education.

After retiring in 2002, Jane maintained her busy pace with globetrotting travel, visiting family in Europe and "out west." She also enjoyed special trips to Central America and Africa. When at home, Jane was always enthusiastically planning future visits with her children and grandchildren, which culminated each summer with the annual get-together at the small cottage on Bassins' Beach.

Jane leaves behind a tremendous legacy as a kind and loving mother, grandmother, matriarch and family builder. Always a committed friend, she cherished all the people that were part of her life, and as a long-time active member of the First Parish Unitarian Church, Jane was a true champion of the Care Circle. We believe Jane is now spiritually packing her beach bag for a final visit to Bassins, and the great clam bake in the sky. 1-4-3 Mom!

She passes the torch to her three children, Suzanne, Michael, and Pamela; their spouses Brian, Ellen and Bart; grandchildren Kaitlyn, Michael, Jessemie, Tate, Ryder, and Nathaniel; sister Nancy, former husband Chet, and her faithful feline companion Casey. Jane was predeceased by her brother, Bob.

The family will hold a memorial service for Jane on Saturday, January 3 at 11:30 a.m. at the First Parish in Cohasset (Unitarian Universalist Church), 30 North Main Street, Cohasset. The service will be held in the Meetinghouse (white church on the common with the clock tower), followed by a luncheon at the Lightkeeper's House on Government Island. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Cohasset Conservation Trust.