Ellen M. (Erisman) Harrington, age 81, of Portsmouth, RI, formerly of Needham, MA, passed away, Tuesday October 28, 2014 at her residence surrounded by her family. For the past 57 years, she was married to Edward F. Harrington, U.S. District Judge.
Born in Framingham, MA a daughter of the late William and Mary (O’Connell) Erisman, she spent her youth in Greenfield, MA, lived in Needham for many years, summered in Portsmouth, for over 40 years and moving there permanently upon her husband’s retirement.
A graduate of Greenfield High School, Class of 1951, she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work from the College of New Rochelle in 1955, and attended Fordham University School of Social Work. A social worker, she worked for the Foundling Hospital in New York City and Catholic Charities in Boston for several years.
She was a communicant of St. Barnabas Church in Portsmouth and St. Joseph’s Church while living in Needham where she taught CCD and was past president of its Women’s Guild. She volunteered as a librarian at St. Joseph’s School, for the Cub and Girl Scouts, and for Meals on Wheels. She was a member of the Postcomers Club in Needham and belonged to book, bridge and garden clubs. She enjoyed gardening, interior decorating, and refinishing furniture.
Her life was devoted to her family, in addition to her husband, she is survived by six children: John M. Harrington and his wife Joanne of Needham, Mary E. Power and husband James of Toronto, Canada, Katherine H. Pershing and husband James of Hingham, Elizabeth H. Carroll and husband John of Portsmouth, Edward P. Harrington and wife Sarah of Braintree, William T. Harrington and wife Janette of Hingham, two sisters Ann Garrahan of Barnstable, MA and Sister Catherine Erisman of the Maryknoll Sisters, 23 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was sister of the late Elizabeth Psychas.
Her Funeral will be held Monday, November 3, 2014 at 9:00AM from the GEORGE F. DOHERTY & SONS FUNERAL HOME, 1305 Highland Ave., Needham, MA, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00AM in St. Joseph’s Church, 1382 Highland Ave Needham, MA. Visiting hours Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00PM in the GEORGE F. DOHERTY & SONS FUNERAL HOME. Visiting hours will also be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 from 10:00AM to 11:00AM in the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEMORIAL TRUBUTE at CHERRY PLACE, 178 Winter St. Fall River, MA, followed by burial in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Fall River. Contributions in her honor may be made to Maryknoll Sisters, P.O. Box 317, Maryknoll, New York, 10545.