NORTON, ELLEN M. GRACE, 49
It is with great sorrow and heavy hearts that the family announces the passing of their beloved wife, mother, and sister Ellen Grace Norton. On February 22, with her family by her side, Ellen died as she had lived, with dignity, grace, beauty, and kindness. Ellen was the daughter of the late Thomas and Barbara Grace and was raised in West Hartford and Old Lyme, CT. She was a proud graduate of The Loomis Chaffee School and Georgetown University. Ellen spent several years as a paralegal at the law firm of Hebb & Gitlin in Hartford. She continued her career in Boston before leaving work to dedicate her full time to being a mother, which was her greatest joy and proudest accomplishment. She and her husband Peter made their home in Billerica, MA and that is where they began raising their family before moving to Londonderry, NH. Despite only having lived in Londonderry for the past two and a half years, Ellen loved her life there and due to the love and kindness of wonderful new friends and neighbors she felt it was her “true home”.
Ellen grew up spending her summers at White Sand Beach in Old Lyme and she carried on this tradition with her own family and children. She also had wonderful memories of time spent in Maine snowmobiling and skiing with her family and friends. For the past two years, even during the toughest of times Ellen’s unselfish nature prevailed. She was always more concerned for the well-being of those around her, be it family, friends, or caregivers, than she was for her own. Ellen was the most loving, giving, kind person one could ever know. She was a true and loyal friend. Ellen had a passion and knack for gift giving and went to great lengths to ensure each gift was the “perfect gift” for its recipient. She truly enjoyed giving a gift rather than receiving one for herself. Ellen was a hockey mom tried and true. Even when it took every ounce of energy she could muster she was there in the stands to support and cheer on her children and their teams.
The single most important thing in this world to Ellen were her three children Thomas, Molly, and Phineas. She loved them more than words can say. They will miss their mother dearly as will her husband Peter who has been by her side during this most difficult journey. Ellen also leaves to mourn her loss her brother Thomas Grace and his wife Danielle, her sister Teresa Stanton and her husband John, and her sister Rachel Erickson and her husband William. She also leaves many cousins, nieces and nephews, and dear friends.
A visitation will take place Thursday, March 2, 2017, from 5-8 pm at Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Road in Londonderry. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Londonderry at 11am on March 3rd. There will be a Mass held in Old Lyme, Connecticut during the summer to celebrate Ellen’s life followed by interment at Duck River Cemetery. Donations made be made in Ellen’s memory to The Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Avenue, Haverhill, MA. 01830.