Eleanor Melissa Lawrence Oakes
Ellie was born October 24, 1941 in Copley, Ohio, near Akron. The family soon moved to Loudonville, Ohio where she spent her youth, graduating from Loudonville High School. She played the lead in her junior and senior plays and won statewide honors for journalism. Following graduation she moved on to attend St. Luke’s Nursing School in Cleveland, Ohio where she received her RN in 1963.
Ellie married David Oakes in September 1964 and the couple lived in New York City, Erie, Pennsylvania, Waynesboro, Virginia, and, finally, Phoenix, Arizona where she spent the remainder of her life. She received her Arizona accreditation at Phoenix Baptist Hospital and eventually retired from Boswell Hospital after nearly 35 years of service. Ellie wrote both prose and poetry and became an accredited yoga instructor. She loved reading, fine food & wine and poetry by candlelight.
She is survived by her children: Michael of Alpharetta, Georgia, Kathleen and Patrick, both of Lincoln, Nebraska, and four grandchildren, Alyssa, Samantha, Jacob and Daniel.
A Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 with a Funeral Service starting at 6:00 P.M. at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home. A live stream of the service will be viewable starting at 6:00 P.M. at https://www.facebook.com/WhitneyMurphyFH/live/
Burial will take place at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ.
Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
Shirley Moffs
From a yoga friend, she was a lovely lady inside & out. I am happy that we were able to spend time together at yoga & “ladies lunches” afterwards.
She will be missed.
Sandy Pramer
Hugs from Ohio. I will miss my cousin so much. She always had a book to recommend and an encouraging word.
Christine Del Deo
Ellie was a kind and loving friend. My husband worked with her at Boswell Hospital and respected her competence and demeanor. I met Ellie at the Writers Inspiration Group (WIG) and enjoyed hearing her stories; we both grew up in Ohio. Rest in peace,dear Ellie.
Leon Olson
Dear Patrick
Please accept my condolences for the loss of your mother.
After reading her obit it’s obvious she was an accomplished woman and judging from your fine character an exceptional mother.
Regards to you and your family,
Leon Olson
Cindi Reiss
Ellie was a kind soul whose presence filled a room with positivity. I knew her from Writer’s Inspiration Group and her writings were magical, filled with faeries that delighted us all. She guided me through yoga as an instructor and was one of the kindest people that I’ve ever met. I have the figurines she gave me from Maud Humphrey Bogart sitting on my desk. Their gentleness reminds me of her each time I see them. She touched many people with her gracious demeanor and her calming smile.
Much peace sweet Ellie.
Cindi Reiss
Dan and Melissa Piorkowski
Aunt Ellie will always have a special place in our hearts, and we will always love and miss her. She was such a wonderful person, and we are keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Lise Rodgers
I always enjoyed our Wednesday afternoon lunches, adventures, movies, popcorn, but mostly all the laughter we shared. You were a kind, gracious, considerate and very thoughtful person and friend. I love all your short stories and poems; and am so grateful that I still have them. I think of you every day when I take my yoga mat out of the yoga bag you gave me many years ago. I will miss you very much my good friend. Namaste Ellie.
KATHERINE CHAPMAN
I was so very sorry to hear of Ellie’s passing. We worked together several years at Boswell hospital. She had many fine qualities that I admired, professionally and as a sisterly friend. Often Ellie would brighten someone’s day at work by bringing them a small gift. One time we talked about cooking…I mentioned I had decided not to fix any food that called for more than 3 ingredients. A couple of weeks later, she presented me with a ‘Four Ingredients Cook Book’. How thoughtful!! I still use it to this day! As generous, kind & thoughtful Ellie was, she could also stand her ground when needed. Her literary skills were another of her talents. She was an exceptional woman. My hugs and condolences to her family.