Ellen Van Dusen

Van Dusen, Ellen PETERBOROUGH, N.H. Ellen Parser Van Dusen, a resident of Colonial Square in Peterborough for the past 26 years, died in her home on Wednesday, January 13, 2010. She was 84 years old and preceded in death by her husband, John A. Van Dusen and her sister, Rudy Parser Elmer of Rochester, N.Y. Mrs. Van Dusen was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands to the late Jacoba and Joseph Parser, formerly of Delmar, N.Y. She graduated from Russell Sage College in 1946 and lived in the Albany area until 1984. She was employed over 32 years by the State of New York and retired in 1979 from the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance, as an associate personnel administrator. While a resident of the Capital District, she and her husband were members of the La Mini Scala, a local group of miniature enthusiasts, and often exhibited their various scale models. After they moved to Peterborough in 1984, they became active with the Friends of the Peterborough Town Library. Mrs. Van Dusen also was an enthusiastic dog-owner and supported various animal shelters. She is survived by two nieces, Marsha Nichols of Ridgefield, Conn. and Karen McGinley of Denver, Colo.; three step-children, Eric L. Van Dusen of Pasedena, Calif., Dennis A. Van Dusen of Chevy Chase, Md. and Margot A. Donavan of Delmar, N.Y.; six step-grandchildren; and several cousins in Holland and England. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mrs. Van Dusen may be made to the Estherville Animal Shelter, 100 Russell Road, Greenfield Center, NY 12833; Parkside Veterinary Hospital, 172 Morton Avenue, Albany NY 12202; and Friends of the Peterborough Town Library, 14 Concord St., Peterborough, NH 03458.