Age 94
Sister Ellen was passionate about providing quality care for those in need.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Ellen was the daughter of Ellen Gilligan and James Kelly. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in Dallas, Pennsylvania at the age of 18, professed her perpetual vows in 1955 and was faithful to her life in Mercy for 76 years.
Though Sister Ellen began her ministerial life as a teacher for five years, she quickly realized that she had a gift for nursing. Graduating from Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania, Ellen earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She continued her studies at the University of California in Los Angeles earning a master’s degree as a clinical nurse practitioner with a specialty in cardiac care.
She served as a nursing supervisor at Mercy Hospital in Scranton, Pennsylvania, for 16 years. Later in her ministerial life, she served as a staff nurse at Mercy Home Health and Hospice in Scranton, Pennsylvania for eight years. She also ministered on the nursing staff for Marworth Rehabilitation Center in Waverly, Pennsylvania, for 11 years.
Ellen was very close to her family throughout her life. When she retired from nursing her life came full circle back to education as she provided daily childcare, especially tutoring, to her extended family.