Ellen Louise Attebury

Ellen Louise Attebury, beloved daughter of the late David Attebury and Martha, and loving sister of Diane Attebury, died on the morning of April 11, 2020, at Northern Metropolitan Rehab/Nursing Home, Monsey, New York.

Ellen was born on September 7, 1952, in New York City. She attended Evans Park Grammar School after the family moved to Pearl River in 1953 and graduated from Pearl River High School in 1971.  Ellen worked at Reddi-Repro for a year moving from there to a mail clerk position with the Department of Social Services.  She proudly held this position for twenty years, carpooling in the morning and taking two buses home in the evening.

Ellen loved to write letters and poetry and corresponded with popular singers, soap opera stars, movie stars, relatives, diabetic pen pals and friends. She loved flowers, birds and animals, especially cats, having enjoyed four Siamese cats in her lifetime.

Ellen’s interests were many: collecting autographs, coins, dolls, seashells and figurines. As a member of an artistic family, she exhibited a talent for drawing and painting, water color, in particular.  She enjoyed dancing, piano and guitar lessons;  she possessed a lovely mezzo voice and had an innate sense of rhythm. She adored music — from the Rolling Stones to Pavarotti. 

Ellen visited 7-Eleven at every opportunity for a Big Gulp.  She was tutored in French and referred to the 7-Eleven as “Sept-Onze”. 

She had a delightful, delicious sense of humor and laughed often, especially when her sister Diane prompted her. Her sister was devoted to her and supported her constantly throughout her lifetime.

At age 60, Ellen entered a Group Home.  She fractured her hip, walked again, and suffered many traumatic falls.  Increasingly, medical issues plagued her, but Ellen persevered  —  a tower of courage and strength.  A true heroine to her mother, sister and late father.

As my daughter she was almost my raison d'être. I am blessed still with another heroine, my daughter Diane.  I called Ellen every night and I would ask her “Who is with you?” and she always answered, “God”.   She is with him now.

Donations in Ellen’s memory may be sent to Nami-Familya, Rockland County Mental Health Organization, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, 57-1-C102, Orangeburg, NY 10962.

Funeral arrangements by Wyman Fisher Funeral Home Inc., 100 Franklin Ave, Pearl River, NY 10965.

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