Lauretta Ellis Obituary (1931 - 2024)

Waterville - Lauretta “Laurie” Ellis, 92, of Waterville and Augusta passed away January 3, 2024, at Comfort Care at Glenridge in Augusta after a brief illness. Lauretta was born in Belgrade, Maine, November 23, 1931, to Clyde & Mildred (Savage) Cummings, Sr. Lauretta was fostered by Fred and Abbie Perley of Vassalboro, Maine. Lauretta attended Vassalboro schools and graduated from Erskine Academy in 1951. She was a very active and involved student in the school newspaper, yearbook, and sports, plus she went on the senior trip to Washington, D.C. while at Erskine Academy. Lauretta married Louis Robbins on October 25, 1950. They were the parents of Cyndie, David (Rhea) and Michael. Laurie then married Robert Veilleux on February 9, 1957, and they were the parents of Robert Jr. (Beverly) and Eric. Lauretta met and reconnected with Glendon Ellis, as they knew each other as teenagers, in 1997. They were married Sept. 17, 2016, in a family ceremony in Waterville. They were inseparable from the day they reconnected until he passed away in November 2017. As a teenager, Lauretta, worked three summers on “Boomer’s Island,” an American Plan resort on Hoyt’s Island, Great Pond, Rome, Maine, fulfilling the likes of the backdrop of an On Golden Pond movie set with all the grand scale entertaining of the era. Lauretta also worked at the Elmwood Hotel, Waterville, in her younger adult years. She then began her life-long employment at the Hathaway Shirt Factory, Waterville, until she retired after 32 years. She was an excellent, above-averages seamstress in her intricate work on collar pockets for stays, closed collar stays, and shirt-front pockets among some of her jobs. Lauretta also worked as a consultant with Contempo Fashions Jewelry sales which earned her many trips in the U.S., Mexico, several cruises to the tropics, and later she travelled to Europe with family. Lauretta was an ardent member of the Red Hat Ladies Society and participated in many of the groups’ activities, luncheons, trips, and fund-raising events. Lauretta was a model in the adages of keeping busy and staying active—she gardened, canned foods, kept bird feeders, was an enthusiastic holiday decorator—both inside and outside of wherever she lived. She kept her mind busy with word puzzles as well as jigsaw puzzles when she could not sleep. She was a major Boston Red Sox fan making sure she watched any game that she could. Nobody could beat her at cribbage, although they tried, she won each and every hand especially at camp at Great Pond playing cards with her grandsons. She also played many other types of card games with family and friends. She had a pool installed at her home to provide water fun for the family. All her grandchildren were a big part of her life and happiness through all of life’s celebrations. Her cooking was delicious, and her recipes lived on in the menu offerings of Eric’s Restaurant, run by her son, Eric, and her daughter, Cyndie, which they owned and operated for many years. Many of her recipes also live on in her honor through the generations carrying them forward in the family—Chicken à la King, Clover Leaf Rolls, Chicken Pie, Dynamites, Green Tomato Pickles, Whoopie Pies plus a multitude of desserts. Her favorite meal was a Maine Lobster cookout. She was also a woman who worked a mean pair of knitting needles and crochet hook. Her crafts, afghans, mittens, and hats are testament to her diligence. She was predeceased by husbands, Louis (2014), Robert (1980), and her son, Michael (1985). She was also predeceased by her parents, her siblings, David and Clyde Jr., granddaughter, Jamie, and a daughter-in-law, Cindy Veilleux. Lauretta is survived by her children, Cyndie, David (Rhea), Robert (Beverly) and Eric, seven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren as well as many other relatives. There will be an internment at the Center Vassalboro Baptist Church Cemetery in the spring. Those wishing to give testimony to Lauretta’s life may leave their thoughts in the online guestbook. The family wishes to thank the doctors and nursing staff of Maine General Hospital as well as the staff at Comfort Care at Glenridge. Their care and concern for Lauretta is much appreciated. Donations in Lauretta’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice.