Ellen Victoria (Lagamasino) Veilleux

GORHAM, ME - Ellen Victoria (Lagamasino) Veilleux passed away peacefully December 10th in her home of the past four decades in Gorham, surrounded by her dear family, after a courageous and inspiring 25 year battle with breast cancer. She was 73. Ellen was born on April 9, 1944 in Boston, the only child of Anthony and Eleanor (Keefe) Lagamasino. She grew up in East Boston, MA. She attended St. Lazarus Schools and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1962, later meeting her soulmate Donald Veilleux of Lynn, MA in 1965. She then patiently waited for Don to return from a 13 month tour of duty with the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam. Don and Ellen were married on May 5, 1968 in East Boston, MA and honeymooned in Hawaii. They lived in Swampscott, MA and then Lynn before moving to Pelham, NH in 1970. Ellen worked for Sky Chefs and later American Airlines at Logan Airport in the 1960's. She then became a stay-at-home mom raising three boys during the 1970's and 1980's. The Veilleux family moved to Gorham in 1978. The late 1980's saw Ellen transition back into the workforce in roles that would touch the lives of hundreds of children in the Greater Portland area. First, she assumed a part time role at the Gorham Burger King coordinating and running children's birthday parties. Later, "Miss Ellen" starting working as a teacher at the PROP Headstart programs, first in Gorham and then South Portland throughout the 1990's and early 2000's. Ellen wound down her career working at Cradles and Crayons Daycare in Gorham before retiring in 2003. Ellen also assisted her husband Don in his duties with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in placing flags on veteran's graves each year in all the cemeteries in Gorham. Ellen's interests included following her hometown favorite team, the Red Sox, over the decades, raising various pet cats and following country music artists including George Strait and Garth Brooks. Ellen also liked keeping tabs on her grand furbabies, dogs Koda, Kona and Kale. Family was Ellen's pride and joy. She treasured spending time with granddaughter Stella and being her "Nonnie". Ellen was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. She fought the disease into remission, but on Mother's Day 2010, it came back with a vengeance that resulted in partial paralysis. Ellen once again fought back the disease and learned to walk again. She then persevered against a brain tumor behind her eye in 2014. Ellen's positivity, sheer determination and love of family motivated her in this incredible battle against the disease. Ellen was predeceased by her parents, Anthony Lagamasino in 1971, and Eleanor Lagamasino in 1998, sister-in-law Beverly Veilleux, and many uncles. Surviving are her beloved husband of 50 years, Donald Veilleux of Gorham, ME, her three sons and their families, Ronald Veilleux and daughter-in-law Sarah Rhoades of Missoula, MT and bonus step-grandchildren Sierra and Tom Nicholls, Kevin Veilleux and daughter-in-law Beth of San Ramon, CA, and Steven Veilleux and daughter-in-law Samantha along with granddaughter Stella of Windham, ME. Ellen is also survived by her aunt, Violet Raymond of Peabody, MA, Violet's daughter Kim Ravida of Swampscott, MA, brother-in-law Robert Veilleux of Lynn, MA, Robert's son Bobby and daughter Debbie, and many cousins. A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 18, 2017 at 12 noon at the Gorham Chapel of Dolby Blais & Segee, 76 State St., Gorham, ME 04038. A period of visitation will be held from 10am until the time of service. Spring interment will take place at the West Gorham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellen's memory can be made to: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, www.cancer.org/involved/donate OR Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074, www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org.

Ellen Victoria (Lagamasino) Veilleux

April 9, 1944 - December 10, 2017

Explore Tributes &
Upcoming Services