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The Life of Mildred S Ellison

 Mildred Steenland Ellison died in Media, Pennsylvania on November 4, 2017 at age 95, of complications from a brief bout with pneumonia.  Grateful for the love of her husband of nearly 71 years and of the Lord she loved since childhood; she passed peacefully from the arms of the one to the presence of the Other.

 Born in Palisades Park, New Jersey, in 1922, Mildred contracted polio as a young child but never for a moment allowed it to dictate her life.  Riding the train to attend Colby College in Maine during the Great Depression, she graduated Cum Laude and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. 

She moved to Boston to work as a “computer” at the Radiation Laboratory at M.I.T. during the War, which set her on a trajectory to meet Victor D. Ellison of Worcester.  He quipped that he married her for her apartment just uphill of the State House.  The Lord blessed them with four children, two of whom died very young.  When not occupied with family duties she volunteered on the boards of numerous social and arts organizations in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  Her work included child education, substitute teaching at schools her children attended, and later assisting children with reading challenges at the Benchmark School in Media.

 Mildred is survived by her husband, children Stephanie and Todd, five grandchildren Daniel, Jedi, Benjamin, Petra and Melanie, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Viewing, services and interment are Saturday, November 11 at Arlington Cemetery, 2900 State Road, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, starting at 10:30 a.m.

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2017.11.08
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Baby Caleb and Bethea Twins
Posted by Anne M on 11/08/2017

2017.11.10
In Loving Memory of Mrs Mildred Ellison

Prof Ellen Wong introduced Lye Kean and me to Mr. and Mrs. Ellison in 1984 while I was a graduate student and attended Tenth Presbyterian Church. They have been a big part of our lives since. Mrs. Ellison was a surrogate grandma to our three children especially during those years we spent in the US. She watched them grow up and looked after Emily when she was studying at Penn. We recall with deep gratitude and fondness her warm hospitality, the countless meals and overnight stays at her Media home. We learnt hospitality from her, first hand. Often on Sundays after church, she invited guests home for lunch. Many were international students who deeply appreciated her kindness, and her home cooked meals. Mrs. Ellison loved her Lord, demonstrating her strong faith in word and deed. She touched many lives for God, including our whole family. She’s an inspiration and role model for all of us. We look forward to seeing her again. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:28-30)
Posted by Wai-Kwong S on 11/10/2017

2017.11.11
One Of Christ's Best Gifts

My name is Caleb Yap, and I first met Mrs Ellison in 2008 when I was a student at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr and Mrs Ellison were kind to me from the moment we sat next to each other in the pew at Tenth Presbyterian, and they would graciously offer to take me to church each morning and evening. We had a common love for the Bible, and found ourselves sharing what God had said to us each week from the wonderful teaching at Tenth. They would invite me to their home, and we would sing hymns, help cook and clean up, play cards, and share about our lives, and the goodness that God had poured into it. She let us ride the red wagon down the hill, and loved to hear us sing. She would tell us about the latest book she was reading, and pray with me for the friends I was sharing the gospel with at school. I consider those memories some of the most blessed times of my life, as I witnessed, as a young man, what godly living looked like, what Christian love and service looked like, and the fellowship of saints looked like. Mrs E inspired me with her love for Christ and His Word, with her passion for sharing the gospel, her heart for people, ever hospitable and kind, and always keen to serve others sincerely and humbly. Eventually, when I left the US and came home to Singapore, she would write me and call me her "dear friend", something that I treasure deeply. In 2012, 2015 and 2016, I would see her three more times, and I had hoped to see her again next year. It is hard to describe just how much Mr and Mrs E have impacted me with their lives and examples, but her memory will always, always live on in my heart until we see each other again. Mrs E, thank you for being one of the best gifts our Lord has given me, and thank you for being my friend. I love you and Mr E dearly, and look forward to being together again, reunited with our Lord in our eternal home.
Posted by Caleb Y on 11/11/2017

2017.11.15
A Blessing from God

I came to the USA in 1989 to pursue my studies at the University of Pennsylvania. My wife, Ling, and I met Mr. and Mrs. Ellison at Tenth Presbyterian Church, and since then, the Ellison couple has been the biggest blessing to my family. I often think God sent them to teach me how to be a good Christian and how to live a life worthy of my salvation in Christ. Ling and I love Mrs. Ellison as our mother, and she was a terrific grandma to our children, Grace and Daniel. She inspired me to recognize God's blessings and always empathize with others because we are all God's creations. Her words and actions compelled me to do good and to love others. She shared her time and home generously and cooked authentic American food for us. I still recall fondly many delicious meals I had at the Ellison home. I know I will see her again in heaven and I am confident God has rewarded her faithfulness and her love for many foreign visitors to the USA. - Teck Hua Ho
Posted by Teck H on 11/15/2017

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