It is with sadness that we learned of the passing of Ellen Bearce, a longtime supporter of The Genesis Foundation for Children. Ellen was the proud mother of four, including Dr. Catherine Nowak, the clinical director of The Feingold Center and Genesis Foundation Board Member (her 5th child, daughter Laura, died at 3 years old of complications of diabetes 50 years ago this January). Ellen always encouraged Catherine’s dedication to helping children with complex medical needs and their families. She opened her home to the Genesis Foundation’s charity runners in the Falmouth Road race – cheering them on from the side lines and providing a place for food and rest after the race. In honor of their beloved wife and mother, the family has requested donations to be made to The Genesis Foundation for Children.
Obituary
Ellen Margaret Bearce, née Engley, 80, of Naples, FL and Falmouth, MA, passed away on January 27th, her loving husband of 58 years by her side. Ellen was born and raised in Foxboro and graduated Foxboro High in 1955. She attended Burdett College where she met her future husband at a school dance. She married David Bearce, also of Foxboro in 1959. Together they raised a family in Longmeadow, MA with annual summer vacations in Falmouth. Beginning in 1988, Falmouth became her residence for Spring and Summer. Ellen volunteered at the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce for many years. She loved the Falmouth Road Race – cheering the runners from the side lines. The Mill road stretch of Surf Drive Beach was a favorite spot with family and friends and she loved “walking the boats” at the Falmouth Harbor in the evening, feeding the ducks with her grandchildren.
Ellen was predeceased by her parents, Clare and Catherine (Rattigan) Engley, stepmother Effie (Goodwin), parents-in-law Howard and Mary Bearce, brothers Ralph, John and Jimmy Engley, brothers-in-law Robert, Howard and Kevin Bearce and Norman Bourassa, her daughter Laura and daughter-in-law Karen. She is survived by sisters Ann (Bill) Rex and Alice (Dick) Noonan of Foxboro, Mary Bourassa of Narragansett, RI, sisters-in-law Beverly Engley of Anderson SC and Gerri Bearce of Roxbury and brother-in-law John (Cathy) Bearce. Ellen was the loving mother of David Bearce, Jr of Enfield, CT, Paul (Marcia) Bearce of Longmeadow, Catherine (Thomas) Nowak of Westborough and Steve (Lauri) Bearce of Alexandria, VA. She was the devoted grandmother to Dave (Amelia) Bearce of Maine, Robert Bearce of Connecticut, Emily, Tom (Samantha) and Michael Bearce all of Boston, Jessica (Jay) Madsen of Wellesley, Emily (Dave) Morrison of Millis, AJ Nowak of Westborough, Matthew and Charlie Bearce of VA. She was the cherished auntie of 27 nieces and nephews.
Ellen loved life. She was an avid reader and enjoyed crossword puzzles and scrabble. – she did not let the pain and disability of arthritis keep her from traveling with her husband, book club and Mah Jong with her many friends in Falmouth and Naples, ladies weekends with her Longmeadow friends and attending the life events of her large extended family. She will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellen’s memory may be made to:
The Genesis Foundation for Children
60 Temple Place, 2nd Floor
Boston, MA. 02111
Or by clicking here: http://bit.ly/GenDonate