Obituary for Ellen V. Kneeland
GRAFTON: “Those who give love, gather love”.
Ellen V. (Hannon) Kneeland, 95, passed away peacefully October 19, 2022 in the loving care of her children and grandchildren. Since losing her beloved husband in 2016, she has lived alone, but has never been alone. Her devoted children and grandchildren have been her constant companions. She is survived by children: Catherine and husband Jesse Rhodes, James F. Kneeland III and wife Ramona, Peter Kneeland, Daniel Kneeland, and Ann and husband John Carlson. Her greatest treasure was family, especially her 7 grandchildren (Jonathan, Sarah, James, Brian, Benjamin, Taryn, and Jesse) and 5 great-grandchildren (Tyler, Jeremy, Kayla, Ethan, and Nevaya). She also leaves behind her sisters in law, Margaret Summers and Theresa Kneeland, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ellen was predeceased by her loving husband of 66 years, James, her beloved daughter Mary-Ellen Guillory, her parents, her brother and sister, and a large extended family. Ellen was born in Worcester, daughter of Julia M. (Donovan) and Lawrence Hannon. She was proud of her Irish heritage and growing up in Main South alongside her sister Virginia(“Jini”) and brother Paul. She told many stories of her days at Gates Lane Grammar, “Prep” and South High School. She graduated from Salter Secretarial School and worked as an operator at New England Telephone Company. She met James and they were married July 1, 1950 at Our Lady of the Angels Church. They were happily married for 66 years. Ellen enjoyed spending time with her family, whether at home or on their family vacations, and she loved a good book. Ellen was a voracious reader until she became legally blind. Her grandchildren came to the rescue. Benjamin would read to her until his voice was hoarse, and Taryn would listen to audiobooks with Nana. Ellen loved fairy tale endings and would change the ending if it did not suit her. She chose to view life through rose-colored glasses. She was very proud of her children, chose to overlook their flaws, and her only act of discipline was the threat that she would tell their father when he got home from work. She raised her 6 children by being a kind, gentle woman of great faith. Her Catholic faith got her though many difficult life events.
Ellen was a longtime parishioner of St Mary (now Our Lady of Hope) after moving to her home in North Grafton in 1953.
All are welcome to gather with Ellen’s family and friends Wednesday October 26, 2022 from 9-10:30am at Roney Funeral Home 152 Worcester St. N. Grafton, MA 01536 followed by the celebration of her Funeral Mass at 11:00am at St. Mary’s Church 17 Waterville St. N. Grafton, MA 01536. She will then be laid to rest at St. Phillip’s Cemetery in Grafton. A Book of Memories to share a special message with her family is available online at:
www.RoneyFuneralHome.com
Ellen V. (Hannon) Kneeland, 95, passed away peacefully October 19, 2022 in the loving care of her children and grandchildren. Since losing her beloved husband in 2016, she has lived alone, but has never been alone. Her devoted children and grandchildren have been her constant companions. She is survived by children: Catherine and husband Jesse Rhodes, James F. Kneeland III and wife Ramona, Peter Kneeland, Daniel Kneeland, and Ann and husband John Carlson. Her greatest treasure was family, especially her 7 grandchildren (Jonathan, Sarah, James, Brian, Benjamin, Taryn, and Jesse) and 5 great-grandchildren (Tyler, Jeremy, Kayla, Ethan, and Nevaya). She also leaves behind her sisters in law, Margaret Summers and Theresa Kneeland, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ellen was predeceased by her loving husband of 66 years, James, her beloved daughter Mary-Ellen Guillory, her parents, her brother and sister, and a large extended family. Ellen was born in Worcester, daughter of Julia M. (Donovan) and Lawrence Hannon. She was proud of her Irish heritage and growing up in Main South alongside her sister Virginia(“Jini”) and brother Paul. She told many stories of her days at Gates Lane Grammar, “Prep” and South High School. She graduated from Salter Secretarial School and worked as an operator at New England Telephone Company. She met James and they were married July 1, 1950 at Our Lady of the Angels Church. They were happily married for 66 years. Ellen enjoyed spending time with her family, whether at home or on their family vacations, and she loved a good book. Ellen was a voracious reader until she became legally blind. Her grandchildren came to the rescue. Benjamin would read to her until his voice was hoarse, and Taryn would listen to audiobooks with Nana. Ellen loved fairy tale endings and would change the ending if it did not suit her. She chose to view life through rose-colored glasses. She was very proud of her children, chose to overlook their flaws, and her only act of discipline was the threat that she would tell their father when he got home from work. She raised her 6 children by being a kind, gentle woman of great faith. Her Catholic faith got her though many difficult life events.
Ellen was a longtime parishioner of St Mary (now Our Lady of Hope) after moving to her home in North Grafton in 1953.
All are welcome to gather with Ellen’s family and friends Wednesday October 26, 2022 from 9-10:30am at Roney Funeral Home 152 Worcester St. N. Grafton, MA 01536 followed by the celebration of her Funeral Mass at 11:00am at St. Mary’s Church 17 Waterville St. N. Grafton, MA 01536. She will then be laid to rest at St. Phillip’s Cemetery in Grafton. A Book of Memories to share a special message with her family is available online at:
www.RoneyFuneralHome.com