Maureen "Moe" M. Ellison

Maureen Margret (McCann) Ellison, of Princeton, WI, lovingly known as Moe to friends and Grandmoe to her grandkids, passed away at the age of 74 on October 8, 2024, at Thedacare Regional Medical Hospital in Appleton, WI. She was the beloved wife of Edward Ellison and a loving mother to her 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.

Maureen was born on January 4, 1950, in Chicago, IL. As she grew to a young lady she attended Saint Joachim Catholic Grammar School, Saint Ailbe Catholic Grammar School and The Academy of Our Lady High School. Her love story with her husband Ed began when her family moved next door to him during his freshman high year. Their courtship spanned 7 years, transitioning seamlessly into a 54 year marriage only interrupted by her recent death. She was an “Air Force wife” for the first 26 years of their marriage, while at the same time pursuing her career as a tax consultant, first for H&R Block, and later for the Dayton, Ohio firm of Reliable Tax and Bookkeeping. As Ed’s Air Force career drew to a close, they planned a move to Princeton Wisconsin and purchased a Bed & Breakfast. Moe became the proprietor of “The Ellison’s Gray Lion Inn” in mid-1992 when she took the two youngest of their three children and moved to Princeton nearly two years ahead of Ed’s actual military separation date. 

Maureen’s warmth, charisma, and zany somewhat eccentric style drew people to her wherever she went. Moe was rapidly accepted and embraced by the Princeton community, becoming well known to many and developing many close relationships. Aside from her roles as Wife, mother, tax consultant, and Innkeeper, Moe had many hobbies and pastimes that she relished. She was an avid book reader and supporter of the local library. She enjoyed gardening and loved both outdoor and indoor plants of all kinds. She greatly enjoyed “thrifting” and had a weekly visitation day to local Goodwill stores and could always be found patrolling the streets of Princeton and salvaging discarded items during the town’s special waste collection days. Moe was heavily involved in supporting the Green Lake County Animal Shelter where she discovered and rescued Oz, a smallish, silly looking German Shorthair with an undercut jaw that seemed to form a permanent smile on his face. Oz was to become a love of her life just behind husband and children. Moe was active politically distributing materials for her party of choice and working in the local polling place during elections. Lastly, and something I’m sure her many friends remember, Moe was an avid storyteller, who delighted in embellishing tales to elicit laughter and amazement from those around her.

More than anything highlighted above, Maureen treasured her family. Time spent with them was precious to her and frequently found her traveling to Milwaukee, Dayton, or Tulsa to be present for births, marriages, birthdays and holidays.

Maureen is survived by her husband, Edward Ellison; children, Sean Ellison and Michelle Ellison-Sanders (Drew Sanders); grandchildren: Edmond Ellison (Jessica Wuerst-Ellison), McKenzi Ellison (Mikey Collier), Caleb Ellison (Bailey Lischke), Liam Sanders, Dylan Sanders, Ethan Ellison, John-Paul Ellison, and Zamar Ellison; great-grandchildren Henry Collier, Theodore Collier, and Isla Ellison; brother, James McCann; daughter-in-law, Sherri Ellison; and many dear friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; and son, Edward J Ellison (Boomer).

Maureen's life was a tapestry of love, laughter, and cherished memories. She will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to have experienced her. In honoring her spirit, we remember her laughter, her stories, and her unwavering love for her family and friends.

A Funeral service for Maureen will be held at 1:00PM on Monday, October 14, 2024 at Divine Passage Funeral Home in Ripon, WI. Family and friends may visit at the funeral home on Monday, October 14, 2024 from 11:00AM until the time of the service. Burial will be held in Mount Zion Park Cemetery in Beavercreek, Ohio at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the local animal shelter in her memory. Divine passage Funeral Home in Ripon is proudly guiding the Ellison family during this difficult time. Divinepassagefunerals.com

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