Internationally recognized basket maker and creator of the Mattapoisett pocketbook, Gladys (Heuberger) Ellis, passed away on January 9, 2011 at the age of 94.
She was the wife of the late Russell Sherman and William J. Ellis.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Helmuth and Ellen (Fowler) Heuberger, she lived her entire life in Mattapoisett.
Gladys graduated from Fairhaven High School and turned her dream of attending Pratt Institute as a architect into designing and sewing her daughter's clothes, becoming a scrimshander, and creating new designs for baskets. She worked at many jobs during her life including packing frozen fish, spray painting toys, child care, adult educator at New Bedford Vocational High School for over 25 years and finally as a teacher of basket making. She was a lifelong member of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church serving as a deaconess, choir member, and an advisor to the youth group. She was a member of the Mattapoisett Women's Club and Couple's Club. She was a longtime Girl Scout leader and enjoyed playing the piano, organ and soprano sax. Most of all she loved her role as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Survivors include 2 daughters, Anne Lima of Bellows Falls, VT and Carole Clifford and her husband Robert of Manchester, CT; a step-daughter, Jane Ellis Titus of Fitchburg; 2 sisters, Ellen Downing of Mattapoisett and Ada Moss of Kingston; 3 grandchildren, Debra Dine and her husband David of Merrimack, NH, Sarah Whinnem and her husband Michael Eaton of Attleboro and Ethan Lima and his wife Laura of Springfield, VT; 4 great-grandchildren, Brandon Dine, Kaitlyn Dine, Calder Eaton and Hannah Eaton; several nieces and nephews.
She was the grandmother of the late Merritt "Putt" LaPlante and the sister of the late Ruth Heuberger, Albert Heuberger, William Heuberger, Chester Heuberger, Milton Heuberger, Helmuth Heuberger, Jr. and Beryl Roylance.
Her Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 14th at 2 PM in the Mattapoisett Congregational Church. Burial will follow in Cushing Cemetery. Visiting hours Thursday, January 13th from 3-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Mattapoisett Congregational Church P.O. Box 284 Mattapoisett, MA 02739.