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Ellen Charlotte (Callahan) McCusker, 70, passed away the morning of Monday, April 20, 2020. She was the devoted, caring wife of the late James M. McCusker, with whom she shared nearly forty-five years of marriage. She was also the adored mother of Kevin McCusker. Living most of her life in Rhode Island, Ellen was born in Providence and raised in Warwick with her two loving brothers. She graduated from Bayview Academy in Riverside, Rhode Island in 1968. She attended Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia before beginning a career with New England Telephone Company/NYNEX in 1969 that spanned over twenty-two years, retiring as a Service Representative Manager. After the telephone company, she continued to work at Ross Simons and Amica Insurance. Throughout, she was an active participant in the Cranston Historical Society and in Kevin's schools' parent council organizations. Ellen and Jim relocated to Pinehurst, North Carolina, where they worked together for Avestra Golf Management; Ellen as the Member Administrative Coordinator, before she retired in 2010. In all of her employment and activities, Ellen grew and maintained lasting friendships to this day, always willing to lend an ear and counsel. In Pinehurst, she and Jim were active members of their church community. Her heart and home were open to all. Ellen hosted wonderful Christmas gatherings that family and friends from far and wide looked forward to attending each year. She enjoyed creating beautiful works of cross-stitch sewing art and greeting cards. She made annual stocks of strawberry jam, hot chocolate mix, and ornaments, enjoyed by numerous family, neighbors, and paper route customers. She loved the spirit of Christmas. Ellen’s favorite spots for rest and relaxation were the lakes of northern New England, particularly NewFound Lake, where she and Jim, their son Kevin, Ellen's parents Marie and Tom, and friends gathered for annual respites. She loved water skiing, dancing, and attending Kevin’s soccer games and bicycle races across New England. While at various points of her life, she created a world of wonderful memories for her brothers, and later her son, in recent years, Ellen’s grandchildren replaced all else as the lights of her life when she became a grandmother. In addition to her son, Kevin, his wife Gina and children of Danvers, Ellen leaves her two brothers, Thomas and Michael Callahan, their wives, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Although the family is very sad to lose her, they hope she arrives to the ready open arms of Jim, her parents, and relatives at Heaven’s gate, with endless bowls of fruit and ice cream. Ellen's Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 10AM in Sts. Rose and Clement Church, 111 Long St., Warwick, RI. In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of donations in Ellen’s memory to the Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Pl., Boston, MA 02215, a place Ellen and Jim were appreciative of in the early years of their team effort against diabetes.

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Ellen C. McCusker

March 24, 1950 - April 20, 2020

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