WILBRAHAM – Ellen Marie (McGowan) Mandrus, 83, a longtime resident of Springfield was Called Safely Home on Friday, May 4, 2012. She passed into Eternal Life at the Life Care Center of Wilbraham surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She was born in Springfield on October 12, 1928, a beloved daughter of the late William F. and Mary T. (Connors) McGowan. She was raised in the Lower Liberty Heights section of the city and later lived in the Hungry Hill and the East Springfield sections of the city before moving to Wilbraham in 2011. During her younger years, Ellen worked for the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company in Springfield. During her leisure time, she enjoyed knitting, crocheting and attending bingo games with her family and friends. She was a wonderful seamstress who had a knack of designing beautiful clothes and costumes for all occasions. She enjoyed making crafts and was often seen working on a project at her home. She was a loving woman who adored her family and showered them with her love and affection which was returned to her a thousand fold. She leaves her devoted husband and best friend, James Mandrus. They were married on August 21, 1948 at Sacred Heart Church in Springfield and were blessed with nearly 64 years of happiness together. She also leaves: her loving children, Paul W. Mandrus and his wife, Jeanne of Longmeadow, Mary T. Collins and her husband, George, of Wilbraham and Janis Mandrus and her husband, Rick Klarish, of New York, NY; her four cherished grandchildren, Nicholas Mandrus and his fiancée, Natalia Medina, Laura Selsky and her husband, Dan, Caroline Collins and Jim Collins; her beloved sister, Mary J. Graham of Chicopee; and her dear relatives of the Mandrus family. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her dear brothers, William F. McGowan, John J. McGowan and Robert J. McGowan; and her beloved sister, Catherine Misiaszek. Her relatives and friends are invited to attend a Service of Committal on Wednesday afternoon, May 9, 2012 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. There are no visiting hours at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. For our online obituary and guest book, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com