On February 28, 2023, Ellen Louise Emmer, MSN, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away at age 95. Born December 24, 1927, to Gabriella (Ella) K. Paulin and James T. Paulin, she attended Collinwood High School in Cleveland, Ohio. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Flora Stone Mather College, as well as two master’s degrees from the highly-regarded Francis Payne Bolton College of Nursing (both colleges, part of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland).
She was married to Edward Joseph Emmer, Jr., Ph.D., until his death in 1997. She is survived by their three children: Edward James (Monica) Emmer, III; Peter Joseph Emmer, and Elise C. (Jeremy) Emmer.
She devoted her life not only to caring for her family, but also to her vocation, psychiatric nursing. She was an assistant professor of nursing at St. John’s College in Cleveland, before marrying her husband. The family later relocated from northeast Ohio to Cambridge, where Ellen continued her practice with the Cambridge State Hospital as a Nurse Supervisor for twelve years. In their free time, the couple enjoyed traveling with their three children and square dancing.
Ellen in many ways defied expectations of the day, not only in her pursuit of advanced education and career, but also in her personal life. Her tireless work was the epitome of selfless service, a consummate expression of her strong Catholic faith. She was a lifelong caregiver even outside of her nursing practice. She provided care for her elderly parents and during her late husband’s illness. She cared for her special needs son at home and steadfastly advocated for his well being. When the family retired to South Carolina, she continued to care for Peter Emmer in their Lexington home for many years, until late 2022.
She was a long-time parishioner of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 2350 Augusta Highway, Lexington, SC. The church will celebrate Funeral Mass for Ellen at 11 am, Saturday, March 11, 2023, with a light repast to follow. Flowers may be sent to this location by 10 am.
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