Ellen MacDonald
Don’t live today as if it is your last day ... live IN today as there won’t be another one just like it. I wanted to share that advice to you as I join those I love and have missed. I don’t want a funeral service now – let’s wait until the holidays are over and, hopefully, COVID is going away – then join Lorie for a Memorial Dinner at Nick & Jimmy’s. Email EllenMacNM@ yahoo.com if you want to be notified when and where this dinner will happen, I’ve made sure she can cover it.
I was born Sand, Texas, the youngest of Henry and Hermine (Wenke) Raschke’s four children. I grew up around Vernon, TX, Melrose Park, IL, and Cabo ol/Mountain Grove, MO. I lived in Illinois and Colorado before moving to New Mexico in 1975 with my husband, Neil, and daughter, Lorie.
Now I’m being embraced by my family who have been waiting for me: my dear husband Neil, Momma and Daddy, brother Gene, and sisters Norma and Minnie; my “favorite nephew” Hughie; and all my Texas cousins – especially Nellie and Leon; and I’m looking forward to having a good laugh with all my friends who are enjoying a pain-free existence.
I’ll still be spiritually here for family and friends left in the earthly life. Particular my daughter Lorie, her husband Brian, his mother Jane, and his sisters Sheila, Karen (who helped take care of me when she was in town), and Cindy and her husband Hunter (thank you for being such great hosts in Kentucky); nieces Barbara and her husband Bob; Beverly; Lana and her husband Bert; and, not to forget, Mardy MacKay – like a daughter to me – and her husband Scott. And Anna Marie, the last of my “Cousins in Texas”, I’ll be looking forward to welcoming you home when your time comes.
I have so many I need to acknowledge, but there are a few I know I haven’t thanked enough: Rhonda Gallegos and Patsy Ortiz, friends who have made me look good on Thursdays for years; Joe Melloy, I’m going to miss our birthday phone calls, and the rest of the Melloy family who truly made me and Neil feel like family, not just part of the company; the brothers at Placitas Café who always joked with me and made me feel at home; Paul Kelly who always asks about my health, and my wonderful neighbors. If I didn’t mention your name, it is probably because I forgot it – but I haven’t forgotten you! I’ve been trying to tell Lorie “And the person at ...” and trying to describe you and/ or the place but not doing a good job.
As you know, I love flowers and I always loved sharing food with family and friends! Since I’m not having funeral services, I ask you donate the same amount of money you’d spend on flowers to your local food pantry. My Thanksgiving tradition has been to provide a frozen turkey and “all the fixin’s” to either the Salvation Army or the Roadrunner Food Pantry – maybe those who receive the food will have great times to recall as they share a meal with those they love. Please visit our online guestbook for Ellen at www.FrenchFunerals.com.