ELLEN L. MATTOCKS, 62, OF BRISTOL, PASSED AWAY PEACEFULLY ON MARCH 8, 2013 AT JOHN DEMPSEY HOSPITAL IN FARMINGTON AFTER A LONG ILLNESS. SHE WAS BORN ON JULY 14, 1950 IN SOUTH BEND, IN THE ELDEST DAUGHTER OF THE LATE CARL MATTOCKS AND BETTY (BRYANT) MATTOCKS AND ALSO THE FIRST GRANDCHILD OF ELLEN Q. BRYANT – HER NAMESAKE. HER FAMILY MOVED TO FARMINGTON IN 1952 AND ELLEN WAS CONFIRMED AT THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST CONGREGATIONAL WHERE SHE CONTINUED TO BE A LIFE LONG MEMBER . SHE GRADUATED FROM FARMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL IN 1968 AND WENT ON TO GRADUATE FROM THE HARTFORD ACADEMY OF HAIRDRESSING. SHE WORKED AT SEVERAL SALONS IN SIMSBURY AND AVON BEFORE JOINING CONNECTICUT COMMUNITY CARE AS A MEDICAID ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SPECIALIST FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 YEARS. ELLEN LATER WORKED FOR A NUMBER OF OTHER COMPANIES AS AN OFFICE MANAGER OR BILLING COORDINATOR INCLUDING COMMUNITY VISITING NURSE AND HOMECARE, HEALTH DIRECT AND MOST RECENTLY GIBBS COLLEGE.
ELLEN LOVED SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND WAS A KINDHEARTED, CARING, SENSITIVE AND GENEROUS PERSON BUT MOST OF ALL, ELLEN JUST LOVED TO HAVE FUN. AS A YOUNG GIRL, ELLEN ENJOYED SPENDING ENDLESS HOURS ICE SKATING ON BRYANT’S POND WITH HER SISTERS AND FRIENDS. SHE ENJOYED GOING TO THE CASINO TO PLAY THE PENNY SLOT MACHINES, GOING TO CAPE COD AND LOVED THE ONE CRUISE THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO GO ON SEVERAL YEARS AGO THAT SHE FREQUENTLY SPOKE ABOUT AFTERWARDS AND FONDLY TREASURED. ELLEN DEVELOPED A PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND HER HOBBY TURNED INTO NUMEROUS PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENTS OVER THE YEARS INCLUDING WEDDINGS, GRADUATIONS, CONFIRMATIONS, ETC. IN ADDITION TO BEING THE FAMILY “PICTURE TAKER”. ELLEN ALSO BECAME AN AVID RED SOX FAN, FOLLOWING IN HER MOTHER’S FOOTSTEPS AND ESPECIALLY ENJOYED HER TRIPS TO FENWAY PARK, EVEN LAST SUMMER WHEN SHE WAS WHEEL CHAIR BOUND. ELLEN WAS ALSO VERY PROUDLY A LIFETIME MEMBER OF THE SEVENTH ARMORED DIVISION ASSOCIATION, FORMER SECRETARY FOR THE VFW #10361 LADIES AUXILIARY OF FARMINGTON AND FORMER GIRL SCOUT.
SHE IS SURVIVED BY HER BEST FRIEND AND CARETAKER, KEVIN MARTIN, TWO SISTERS, MARION OLSON AND HER HUSBAND GARY OF BRISTOL, CHERYL HIGLEY AND HER HUSBAND RICHARD OF FARMINGTON AND THREE NEPHEWS WHOM SHE TREASURED; GARRETT OLSON, RICHIE HIGLEY AND ZACHARY HIGLEY; AS WELL AS TWO AUNTS AND SEVERAL COUSINS. THE FAMILY WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE NURSES AND ASSISTANTS AT COUNTRYSIDE MANOR IN BRISTOL AS WELL AS THE STAFF AT JOHN DEMPSEY HOSPITAL FOR THE DEDICATED EXCELLENT CARE THAT THEY PROVIDED.
FRIENDS AND FAMILY MAY CALL AT THE AHERN FUNERAL HOME, 111 MAIN STREET, UNIONVILLE ON TUESDAY, MARCH 12 FROM 9 – 10:30AM. FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT THE AHERN FUNERAL HOME AT 10:30AM FOLLOWED BY BURIAL IN RIVERSIDE CEMETERY, FARMINGTON. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, CONTRIBUTIONS MAY BE MADE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HEALTH CENTER, DEPARTMENT OF NEUROLOGY, P.O. BOX 842948, BOSTON, MA 02284-2948 OR TO THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST CONGREGATIONAL, 75 MAIN ST, FARMINGTON, CT 06032.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013 from 9:00-10:30am
Funeral ServiceTuesday, March 12, 2013 at 10:30am Ahern Funeral Home
BurialRiverside Cemetery in Farmington
Memorial ContributionUNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HEALTH CENTER, DEPARTMENT OF NEUROLOGY, P.O. BOX 842948, BOSTON, MA 02284-2948 OR TO THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST CONGREGATIONAL, 75 MAIN ST, FARMINGTON, CT 06032.
Ellen was a breath of fresh air! While working with her at CCCI she was not just a co-worker, but a good friend, both to me and my family. When visiting Connecticut after having moved to Colorado, we made a special point to meet up with Ellen so that she could give her good friend, our daughter Sarah, her first haircut at age 5. It was an honor and joy to have spent some time on earth with her.
I’m so dad to hear of her passing. I knew her in HS and am happy to hear of the fullness of her life. God Bless her and her family and friends
I knew Ellen in HS. And of course “Teen Club”. I’m so sorry for her illness and for your loss. God Bless Her and her family and loved ones.
I just heard of Ellen’s passing and I am very sad for your loss. Ellen used to come to my mom’s house and style her hair. My mom who was elderly and blind looked forward to Ellen’s visits. Ellen was a wonderful and caring person. We will miss her.
To Ellen’s loved ones…My deepest sympathy for your loss. I worked with Ellen at Gibbs College. She was a very sweet lady with a great sense of humor. I was very sad to read that she was ill and of her passing. May God rest her soul.
Marion & family,
So sad to hear about the passing of Ellen. Will always remember the good times we shared together at Pilgrim Fellowship and of course “Teen Club”.
Mark
RIP Ellen, you were a very special person.
I first met Ellen when I went to work at CCCI. She soon became a dear friend and we spent many fun hours shopping over the years. At one time she rented an apartment upstairs from my elderly mother and Ellen always went out of her way to be kind and considerate of her. I feel blessed to have known her and send my sincere sympathy to Kevin who was so very good to her.
Dear Kevin, Marion, Gary, Cheryl & Rich,
I am so sorry for your loss. Ellen’s spirit and goodness shall always remain with you. I can absolutely hear her laughter and from this day forward, the stars will forever shine brighter!
I hope that countless memories of love & happiness will carry you through this very difficult time. I also hope that this poem will offer you some comfort.
Sincerely,
Greg
Softly Sprinkled Rain
By Greg O’Brien
A flower closes
as it dances on a twilight breeze
the clouds float by
as the sun says goodnight
and nothing seems changed
as the glow fades from sight
But this day is different
because of one silenced voice
a loved one has left us
and we’re faced with a choice
Do we renew our faith
and be thankful for time
or simply grieve with questions
and look for a sign
For it can be easy to show anger
or perhaps to feel blame
but instead simply remember
as you whisper their name
Strive to remember the joy
of the laughter once shared
and to make them a promise
that they’ll always be here
That you will include them in thought
as each new day dawns
whispering their name softly
as each day rolls on
For they will surely return this favor
as they help ease your pain
by opening flowers with gentle breezes
and softly sprinkled rain
Ellen was my coworker and friend for many years. She’d trim my hair in a pinch, and find me the perfect Halloween costume. She was also the videographer at my wedding. I wish we could go shopping one more time – I’d bring the coffee.
I first met Ellen 53 years ago on Bryant’s Pond where she and her sister Marion (my sister in law)taught me to ice skate. I was just 5 then, and as the years went by we spent many winters at the pond together after school and on Saturdays. I’ll never forget the time she and Marion held my dad’s hands and skated around the pond with him on his new “hockey skates” for the first time that he got for Christmas. Wish we had smartphones then! Years went by and Ellen was the photographer at my wedding. She always had a loving and free spirit about her and a warm smile. I am so sorry to hear that she has left us so soon and pray for her family and close friends that she has left behind for comfort and peace.
I knew Ellen, She took the Wedding pictures for my Son and Daughter, her work was outstanding. I also remember, when she sold Angel Pins. To me she was an Angel. May God Bless and hold her in the palm of his hands. Ellen was a kind and gentle soul. She will be missed. A treasure has been taken to heaven. To all of her family my deepest Sympathy
I’m so sad to hear of Ellen’s passing. We shared so many good times and laughs together. Ellen was a generous, kindhearted and loving person who I will never forget. RIP Ellen, I will miss you.
My condolences to Kevin and her family.
I did not know that Ellen was ill and was very sad to read her obituary this morning. Ellen worked for me at CCCI and I admired her fun loving spirit. My condolences to her long time care giver and her sisters and family.