If love could have saved her, she would have lived for all of eternity.

Ellen Karen Morrissette Jordan (nee Brouillard) earthly journey ended on May 18th, 2024, peacefully in her home surrounded by her most valued treasures, her family. Ellen's voyage began on April 22nd,1954 at Woonsocket Hospital. The impact of her life reached hearts around the world yet the places she called home were never more than 5 mere miles from where she was born.

Oma, the German name for grandmother, was not just Ellen's name from her grandchildren. Ellen was Oma to all. Caring, sharing, understanding, dependable and, to the luckiest, a giver of a unique and deep love. An adventurer, traveler, and lover of the beach. Ellen approached nearly every challenge in her journey with fierce determination and an attitude of it is what it is, do what you can do. Ellen worked hard, played hard and loved hard. She reached an incredible amount of hearts and lives in her journey and was surely unforgettable in the best ways to every single one.

With all the adventures in her exquisitely lived life Ellen's leading focal point was always her family. While her song has ended her melody lives on in thousands of hearts, specifically her children; Amanda Larose (nee Morrissette) and Aj Morrissette; son in law Jason LaRose, daughter in law Sarah Morrissette (nee Gresoski), her granddaughters; Olivia Morrissette, Charlotte LaRose, Victoria Morrissette, Amelia Morrissette, and Mia Morrissette and the man who heard the first notes of her song her brother Robert Brouillard Jr.  She is proceeded in death by her mother Irene Brouillard ( nee Vogt) and father Robert Brouillard. Oma carried such pride for her children, their families and their successes. Each following in their Moms footsteps in their own self-made way, working their way up step by step like her to building careers, helping others and becoming loved leaders in their field.

Ellen collected admirers and true friendships in every stage of life starting at Holy Family Elementary school. It was during her adventurous years at St. Claire High School that she developed what would be her lifelong friend group of the "Buddies '72." Through first loves, careers, marriages, divorces, motherhood, retirement and beyond these six women supported one another through all of life's joys and challenges. Leru, Diane, Monica, Pat and Denise gave Ellen the gift of true friendship. A gift she was boastful about in her appreciation.

For nearly 50 years Ellen was tireless in her determination to provide a good life for herself, her family and countless others. After some quick starts and stops she took her first leap into the career that would fulfill her wants and needs. For nearly 2 decades Ellen held a multitude of positions at Eddie's Market in North Smithfield, including leading their unionization and serving as shop steward, a position she held for 15 years. United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 328 finally convinced Ellen to take a position with them full-time. She began as an organizer for the Barbers and Cosmetologist division and quickly earned her way to the position of Business Representative. Ellens generous and determined spirt improved the lives of thousands of union members over the next 20 years. Her position with the UFCW was not only a career, it was lifestyle. Everyone knew Ellen was one who could get things done and she held a multitude of additional positions including; Providence labor council Recorder, Executive Board Member of UFCW 328, Executive Board Member of the UFCW Women's network and tireless organizer of charity events and member engagement. Whether she was leading negotiations, settling grievances, greeting new members or even delivering her unforgettable Christmas Cookie trays to her stores she made every person and situation better by simply being her. Ellen made incredible positive changes within her local union over the years yet in 2015 she left that adventure in a blaze of glory to begin a new way of life, retirement.

If one was seeking guidance on how to enjoy retirement, Ellen was the one to follow. If there was a place to go, she had a ticket in hand. Oma overcame many challenges during her near decade of retirement, yet nothing could keep her down for long. Her dear friend Leru, Diane Manning, was many times her travel buddy in later years. Escaping the New England winters on their long annual trips to Florida. They enjoyed locations near and far; New Hampshire, Aruba, various cruises, surprise visits to kids and grandkids. Wherever their hearts desired to venture the duo embraced the term go with the flow or rather, Leru would graciously go with Ellens flow. Their annual beach "girls' trip" with their daughters, Amanda and Melissa, and daughter in law, Sarah, was a cherished tradition passing on to the next generation the gift of enjoying the journey. Whether it be their weekly card games with family and friends or travels afar, their adventures were ones to be admired.

Ellen was a member of many organizations and found solace over the years at Holy Family and Holy Trinity parishes, always being a top contributor to whatever need arose.  In 2022 Ellen joined Elks Lodge #850 in Woonsocket, RI. There she led regular fundraisers, many of which included the generous donation of her very famous chocolate chip cookies. Her heart for helping and socializing never ceased.

As a fiercely strong, determined, independent, sassy and soulful woman Ellen lived an incredibly full life. Throughout which, whether she was scratching by as a single Mom with two kids or living comfortably from decades of hard work in her retirement Ellen was a charitable soul to her core. Rarely a month, even a week, would go by where Ellen wasn't shopping for coats for children in Ukraine or baking cookies to sell at the lodge to help low-income high school students or a combination of countless other good deeds. She donated her skills, time and money without hesitation. She loved with all of herself.

Oma had many skills and hobbies; baking, cooking, gardening, attracting friends like a moth to a light yet one of her favorite pastimes was, she shopped. Then she shopped and shopped some more. Whether she was on a stretch of collecting pyrex dishes, flowery dresses, be it at Savers or Chicos, Ellen had shopping in her soul. She shopped for herself, her family, her friends and countless charities.

Oma Ellen loved and is loved in a way that is extraordinary.  She lived life in a rare and beautiful way, embracing each challenge and joy fully. Her presence here will be missed for generations yet her impact on earth will carry on for eternity. Like the water from the ocean becoming rain bringing life to the earth again and again, the influence of her life will continue on in the hearts and memories of those that loved her.

"A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again." – Maya Angelou

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to Ellen's Life Celebration to begin with Visiting Hours on Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 3 PM to 6 PM, and continuing on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 8:30 AM in the J. J. Duffy Funeral Home, 757 Mendon Road Cumberland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM in Holy Trinity Parish, Holy Family Church, 414 South Main Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895. Burial will follow in St. Jean the Baptiste Cemetery, Bellingham, MA.

Online memorial: jjduffyfuneralhome.com