Born: August 31, 1969 - Deceased: July 3, 2020
Ellen L. Constance of O’Fallon, IL, born in Belleville, IL, passed away Friday, July 3, 2020 at Evelyn’s House in Saint Louis, MO.
Ellen was a Director of Family Center Services at Children Home Aid. She had a Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois’ Jane Addams College of Social Work. She began her career working with foster families in the Chicago/ Metro area. Ellen joined C.H.A.S.E. as an Intact worker in the Family First program has been in family social services for over 25 years. Ellen’s passion for the mission and protecting our community’s children has always been evident in her life’s work.
She was preceded in death by her:
- Mother: Carole “Lynne” Constance
- Brother: Christopher E. Constance
Surviving are her:
- Father: Edward J. Constance of Belleville, IL
- Brother: Jeffery (Lisa) Constance of Northville, MI
- Sister: Sarah L. (Darren) Gebhart of Belleville, IL
- Dear nieces and nephews
Memorials: Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the American Cancer Society.
Visitation: Visitation will take place on Wednesday, July 8th at 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and again on Friday, July 10, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
Funeral: Funeral service will be held at Kurrus Funeral Home on Friday, July 10, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Bill Pierce officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
18 Comments
Words are so woefully inadequate o express my grief at Ellen’s much too early demise. I remember her well as one of my students And as a as classmate in our Nicole’s class. Of course, we were neighbors for oh so many years also. I offer my heartfelt sympathy to the entire family. I feel such sadness for the loss of both Ellen and Lynn.
I worked with Ellen at Children’s Home & Aid. My memories of her was her high energy, friendliness and desire to make the world a better place. May God comfort her family and friends during this time. Ellen you left your mark on this world through your love for the children you served.
Ellen was a treasured co-worker for over 25 years. She truly cared about the families she supported and had such an infectious laugh and personality. She will be so sorely missed. Godspeed, Ellen.
Ellen was a vibrant soul, full of energy and committed to making the world a better place. I worked with Ellen at Children’s Home & Aid, she had a story for everything that brought laughter and joy. Her expression, “dude” could be heard across the office. She loved the Oscars and Emmys, sweet treats and her cats. Many staff, children and families had a better life because of her care, compassion and clinical knowledge. Prayers and healing to the family for the devastating losses you have experienced.
Ellen left an immediate impression on me. As a coworker, but also a former youth in foster care, I knew that Ellen was someone who truly “got it.” I felt so much better about the plight of vulnerable children knowing that Ellen was out there advocating and fighting for kids who needed a voice. The imprint she left with her work is immeasurable. We didn’t get to have her in our world long enough, but the time we all knew her–her presence in the lives of so many–was meaningful beyond belief. I will desperately miss her beautiful smile, amazing sense of humor, charismatic personality, and sharing my McCalister’s cookies with her at every Board meeting. I was forever changed by knowing her. The spirit of Ellen is forever alive in my heart.
I worked with Ellen for 6 years with her as my supervisor. She was passionate about the families we served and helped make a difference in many families’ lives. Her love of TV shows, cats, shopping, pizza buffets and anything sweet is known to all. The last time I saw Ellen we met for lunch before I had to give a presentation in a community meeting for my new position. Ellen knew I am not a fan of speaking in front of groups. We said our good-byes after lunch and 20 mins later, Ellen walked into the meeting that I was presenting at and told me that she wanted to come so that I would have a friendly face in the crowd to put me at ease. My thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.
Ellen is one of the most memorable colleagues I had the pleasure of encountering during my 21 years serving with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. I always cherished our lunch conversations after agency meetings that placed me in the area. Ellen was so dedicated and truly poured everything she had into our profession that calls us to essentially be crusaders for children and families. She was certainly one of the very best crusaders I know and without a doubt the most energetic and most hilarious. May God comfort her now in his loving arms. I will cherish those lunches even more!
Ellen and I met at Children’s Home & Aid and we quickly became friends. I will forever miss her laugh and smile, a smile that could light up any room.. I will miss the way she’d my name “Al!!!!” (And she’s the only one that I’d let call me Al!) down the hallway at work. I will miss going to lunch with her, talking about the latest movies. My thoughts and prayers are with the family as they navigate this unbelievably difficult time..
Ellen was my supervisor at CHASI. I will miss her dearly. Miss talking about tv shows and guessing what will happen next. Miss going to lunch. Watching her bounce around the office with a smile on her face. Knowing she has something good to tell if she starts out saying “Dude”. My latest memory was going shopping for the kids for Christmas. Ellen had me smell everything in Bath and Body Works. That was one of her happy places. Im happy I was able to go and share that memory with her. Rest in Heaven Ellen! My condolences to Ellen’s family.
Ellen was a treasured colleague that I had the pleasure to know and work with for nearly 20 years. She was loving and caring and a true advocate for the children and families she worked with. She touched many lives and her impact will live on. My deepest sympathies to her family, friends, and co-workers. She will truly be missed.
Words cannot described how deeply Ellen will be missed at Children’s Home & Aid. Ellen’s presence was always known as soon as she stepped foot in a building-that cheerful hello & laugh she had was so recognizable. She had such a deep impact on not only the families & children she served but her peers & coworkers as well. She will be sorely missed!
I am so incredibly saddened to hear of Ellen’s passing. I had the pleasure of getting to know her better while at Children’s Home and Aid training staff on LGBTQIA+ matters. I thoroughly enjoyed her passion, her laugh and her down to earth attitude. She will be missed by many may her legacy will live on through those who’s lives were touched by her. May she rest in peace.
I loved Ellen. We worked together often when she was in CCBYS and I was in probation. We bonded so quickly. I loved the heart she had for children and her sense of humor. This is a hard field to work in and her wonderful personality made it so much easier.
Ellen was exceptional in every way. Her fabulous, fiery, phenomenal spirit inspired everyone who had the chance to work with her to create bright futures for every child, every family. Ellen personified the call to do “whatever it takes” so that the barriers preventing healing and success could be removed.
In my years at Children’s Home & Aid I had the chance to see Ellen-in-Action, and among my favorite memories was learning from Ellen in the BestStat meetings, where the statewide staff team grappled with the gnarly questions about how we could do better, achieve more, on behalf of the children, youth and families we served. Her bright mind and her passion for the mission were always “full-on” and fueled our efforts to get the Best Results!
My heart goes out to Ellen’s family and the Children’s Home & Aid family (including alumnus like me) –EVERYONE who knew Ellen will mourn her loss, and celebrate her enduring legacy of love.
Ellen was truly an all around sweetheart! We all miss you dearly
Ellen’s passion and kindness were beyond measure- i will miss her immensely and treasure all fond memories of her. May God grant peace to her family and all who loved her so dearly!
Ellen certainly leaves a large emptiness with her passing! She was wonderful to collaborate with and push forward to ensure our system evolves and changes to better support and serve all of our children and their families! A great loss to so many!
I will miss Ellen’s smile, laughter and positive go-getter attitude!
My deepest condolences to her family!
I am so shocked and saddened as I just recently learned of Ellen’s passing.
With the times we have lived in this summer there were none of our usual opportunities to collaborate through our child welfare work, so I am so sad to hear we will not have one of those moments again. I always enjoyed your cheerfulness and happy go lucky nature. This is so needed and will be missed from this world.
Ellen, may you be resting in peace and your friends and family find comfort in the memories of the beautiful ways you shared your life.
My condolences