Ellen Collimore
Ellen Jane Buswell Howell Collimore, age 79, of Stratford and formerly of Fairfield, the loving wife of Donal Collimore, passed away peacefully, at home, with her family by her side, on April 9, 2024. Born in Bridgeport to the late Clifford and Helen Buswell, Ellen was a graduate of Roger Ludlowe High School, class of 1963. Ellen completed her nursing program at Bullard Havens, where she began her career as a pediatric nurse. Later in her career, she worked for Family and Children’s Agency in Norwalk as an intake coordinator, where she received an award from Governor Rowland for her work with families impacted by 9/11. As a lifelong learner and theatre aficionado, she also attended Norwalk Community College, where she took courses in Film Studies.
Ellen raised her family in Fairfield, where she lived for 50 years before moving to Stratford. Ellen loved to travel and she and her husband, Don, traveled together to Alaska, England, Russia, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Sweden and Hawaii. Ellen and Don rafted down the Colorado River together, went snorkeling in Maui and traveled back to her family roots in Scotland. She also loved theatre, music, dancing, animals, movies, shopping, fashion, reading and she cherished the company and laughter of her friends, especially with a glass of Veuve Cliquot.
Ellen continually dedicated her energy to her children’s schools as a PTA volunteer and she was the co-chair of her 25th high school reunion. She loved celebrating and decorating for the holidays, especially Halloween, where costumes and pumpkin carving were always a priority and Christmas, where she herself became Santa’s magic and spirit. Ellen always had the best decorated trees, expertly wrapped, thoughtful gifts and she loved reading classic stories to her children and then, to her grandchildren. Ellen always made sure that everyone around her felt at home and that they were having a good time. Above all else, Ellen loved being a mother and grandmother. Family was her everything.
In addition to her husband, Ellen is survived by her devoted children, Kathryn (Kate) and her husband, James Mascia of Orange, Raymond M. Howell, Jr. and his wife, Erin of Fairfield and Michael Howell of Stratford; her stepchildren, Donal Collimore, Jr. and his wife, Amanda of Easton, Sara Collimore and her partner, Cynthia Lambert of Stratford, Susan Collimore and the late John David Collimore; her cherished grandchildren, Thomas Howell, Christopher Howell, Brian Howell, James Mascia, Joseph Mascia, Donal Collimore III, Jacqueline Forget and Margaux Forget; her sister-in-law, Mary Buswell; as well as her former husband, Raymond M. Howell of Florida. She was predeceased by her brother, Robert Buswell.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 23, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Old Post Tavern in Fairfield.
To sign her online guestbook, please visit www. shaughnesseybanks.com .