"Ellen and I are dear close friends to my beloved cousin Rose Gaudiosi . Rose taught at the school where Ellen was principal. As the years endured we helped Rose in Ocean City. Ellen was most pleased when I gave her my hosta plants for her home in Cheltenham solving her shade problem in her garden. I will miss Ellen with great passion and fondness remembered . Love Dodd Clark"
In loving memory of
Ellen J. Wholey
December 3, 2014
Ellen Wholey was born in Philadelphia, Pa. She was the last of seven children born to Daniel and Mary Wholey. Like her sisters, Anne and Marie, she also became a teacher. Her first assignment was to the fourth grade in the steel School in Philadelphia. After two years there, she was asked to be a demonstration teacher in the Masterman School. That position was followed by her being chosen to be the social studies collaborator in District 6 for three years. The principalship of the John Wister School in Germantown was Ellen's next assignment. Five years later, she was appointed the principal of the Benjamin Franklin Elementary School in Lawncrest where she remained until it came time for her to retire. While at Franklin , she introduced to the Philadelphia Public Schools the first Montessori class in a public school in the United States. Prior to that time, Dr. Montessori's aid to educational life had only been taught to young children in private schools.
Ellen was a former resident of Cheltenham before moving to independent living at Ann's Choice in Warminster, Pa.
Ellen was always happiest when she was helping others.
May she now rest in peace with her fine family and her loving Creator!
Relatives and friends are invited to call after 10:00 AM Wednesday at Nativity of Our lord Church 625 W Street Rd, Warminster, PA and to Her Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM with the Rev. Angelo R. Citino, Pastor as Celebrant. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery Yeadon, Pa.
Remembrances in her name to the Ann's Choice Benevolent Care Fund 30000 Ann's Choice Way, Warminster, PA 18974 would be appreciated.
Photos and tributes may be shared at www.UrbanFuneralHome.com
Tributes
"To the family: Please accept my condolences. "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out..."John 5:28, 29."
"I was sad to hear of Miss Wholey's passing. She touched so many lives in such a beautiful and positive way. The atmosphere of learning and respect that she engendered at Franklin was not easily replicated and gave us all a strong foundation for life. So much of who I am today comes from the lessons she taught in her own inimical way. She will be greatly missed, but always fondly remembered."
"I have nothing but wonderful memories of my time at Franklin when she was the principal. A special lady and friend to my mother for years."
"My sister and I fondly remember Ms. Wholey as a friend of our Mother, Mary Mannheims. Mother had a great respect and admiration for Ellen's achievements. Now they will meet again in heaven. Irene Mannheims Mueller and Charlotte Mannheims"
"I was one of the 1st of 60 students that was selected to attend Franklin Elementary School when the school became desegregated in the 60's. After that time my six other siblings also attended Franklin. My entire family loved Miss Wholey! Charming in character, dignified in stature, loving, yet firm and respected! I remember on one occasion some years ago, I had called her. She was so happy to hear from me and asked how I had found her. I stated that she was on my mind and I wondered if I could locate her through a Google search. She said, "So you found me on the computer!" From time to time I would call to touch basis with her. The most recent memory that my family & I have and will treasure, was when she along with former teachers on her staff (Toby Epstein, Karen Shanks & Mabel Clanton) attended my 50th birthday celebration. I am indeed blessed to have been placed on the same path with her. She will be missed! "
"I met Miss Wholey at St. Joseph Church in Cheltenham she was a very classey lady a beautiful person. Mrs. Givens"
"She was a great lady. Knew every student and their brothers and sisters by their first name. Rest in peace."
"I feel so thankful to have been a student at Franklin Elementary school during the time that Miss Wholey was principal- so many sweet memories. She would always ask about everyone your family - I don't know how she remembered - but she did.. Just made you feel special. "
"Ms. Wholey: No words can describe the awe and fear she put into our lives just walking down the halls of Franklin Elementary. She was what a principal was or should be. I was one of the students picked to be part of the 1st Montessori program in the Philadelphia School District. She would wander in and just watch... she was taking it all in, as much as we were. Even after graduation and I was doing a paper for college, Ms. Wholey met with me and greeted me, little Sandy Fabry. Wow, who would have thought after all those years! She was remarkable. and obviously touched many lives in her career.
Rest in peace and Thank you, Sandra Fedeli"
"There are so many things to say.... She was a leader, she cared about the students, and she did make Franklin a family. I think my two favorite things to remember are that she may not know your name, but she always knew to which family you belonged. Also, I really have come to appreciate Benjamin Franklin because of the special assemblies we had every year for his birthday. "
"Mrs. Wholey shaped the lives of so many of us. She expected the best from you as she gave her best for you. If you can affect one person's life you have made a difference, Ms. Wholey affected so many lives, God Bless her, she will be missed!"
"This woman is what made the school one of the best schools in the city. It is the administration that sets the tone for the teachers and students. TOPS club, stopping in on every classroom each week, walking the halls with those silent rubber soled shoes she was never an administrator to sit in the principal's office and let issues come to her. She showed us all that we could be the best we could be. She was always the best she could be."
"Miss Wholey was indeed a well respected principal...we had her as our teacher for a short time during a Philadelphia teacher's strike and she taught us so much in a short time and what she taught us stuck. Very influential woman who impacted many of our lives!"
"Miss Wholey was a wonderful principal at Franklin. She ran a tight ship and there was no nonsense about her. Attending that school was like having a private school education. May she rest in peace."
"Miss Wholey was a dignified, respected leader. She created a sense of community and fairness at Franklin Elementary School. She shared her time and talents selflessly with her staff and the students. Most importantly, she made a positive difference in the lives of all of us who attended Franklin. I have many wonderful memories of Miss Wholey. She was a great educator and a great lady!"
"Miss Wholey was an extraordinary principal who was always in control at Franklin. She always made us feel like we were part of a larger extended family. I can't remember other principals in my life, but I always remember Miss Wholey."
"I attended Franklin Elementary School fro 1970 until 1976. Miss Wholey was a wonderful principal and a fine lady. She was an educated, refined lady who was strict and fair, and always in control. She made Franklin feel like family. God bless her."