"Ellen was such a sweet and welcoming lady. I had the good luck to be on some committees at IYC with her, and she was so easy-going that she made everything fun. Upbeat, positive, welcoming, comfortable to be with and with a real zest for life: that is the Ellen that I remember, and that you all will treasure in your memories."
In loving memory of
Ellen Joan Cairo Andreas
October 8, 1923 - October 5, 2018
Ellen Joan Cairo Andreas passed away at the age of 94 on Friday, October 5th in the loving and caring community of Parkside Assisted Living and Memory Cottage in Port Charlotte, FI.
She was born in Trenton, NJ, on October 8th, 1923 to Francesca Amodio Cairo and Salvatore Cairo. Ellen was the second youngest of seven children. She married John M. Andreas on June 17th, 1944. They built the first of their many homes in Hamilton Square, NJ. Together they had three children, Linda, Jack and Cyndee.
Ellen began her career working as a bank teller right out of high school. She also took business classes at Rider College. After her children were in school full time, she went back to work as an administrative assistant. When her husband was transferred to North Jersey in 1967, she worked as an administrative assistant in the Springfield, NJ School District. The family then moved to Moorestown, N.J. in 1970 where Ellen got a job as administrative assistant to the assistant superintendent of schools.
In 1974, they moved to Upper Saint Clair in Pittsburgh, Pa. Ellen worked as a legal assistant to Attorney Clair Duff, where she continued taking college courses. Ellen and Jack moved back to Moorestown, N.J in 1980 and she resumed her career in the Moorestown School District and was the administrative assistant to 3 consecutive superintendents before retiring in 1991. Jack's engineering job with Impact Consulting Firm brought them to picturesque Punta Gorda in 1992. Ellen loved her new life there. She began walking, playing mahjong, joined the isles Yacht Club where she was chairman of the entertainment committee for a few years. She also volunteered with the Visual Arts Center and participated in the Punta Gorda Rotary Club. In 2009, Ellen was a contestant in the local Dancing with the Stars.
Ellen's husband, Jack, passed away in 2000. A few years later Ellen met Ed Lusk. They spent 9 wonderful years together. Ellen was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Jack, her daughter,Linda Andreas Bills Mount, her siblings, Toni Chandler, Dollie Nicolai, Lou Cairo, Frank Cairo, John Cairo, and Loretta Pownell.
She is survived by her son, John Francis (Dora) Andreas, Cynthia (Jim) Andreas Grifo, grandchildren, David (Ellie) Bills, Daniel (Emily) Bills, Brian (Jane) Andreas, Eric (Kelly) Andreas, Nathan (Elisa) Andreas, Heather (John) Grifo Buckles, Drew (Anne) Grifo and Brett (Jen) Grifo and nine great grandchildren. Ellen was a loving and devoted mother. She will always be remembered for her great sense of humor which she managed to keep until the very end. Ellen was a devout Catholic and supported many charities during her lifetime.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 10 from 6pm to 8pm at Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home, 635 E. Marion Ave Punta Gorda, FL 33952, Ellen's life will be celebrated at 7pm at the funeral home with Dee Roberts officiating. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, October 11 at 10:30am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 211 W Charlotte Ave, Punta Gorda, FL 33950 with a committal service to follow at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens where Ellen will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Jack.
In lieu of flowers you can make donations to the Amyloidosis Foundation.