Hanson – Ellen Stillman 100, a lifelong resident of Hanson, died Monday September 3 after a period of failing health.
Born in Brookline she was the daughter of Lithuanian immigrants William and Eva Stillman, and had moved to her Elm Street, Hanson home in 1919.
Before her career at Ocean Spray Cranberry where she served as vice president of advertising, Ellen had been a graduate of Chandler School for Women and Boston University, and was later appointed the first women on the Ocean Spray Board of Directors.
Ellen had been a pioneer in the cranberry industry, owning several bogs in Hanson. She had also lent her time to many philanthropic committees including the Boston Symphony and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
She was an avid skier and had the opportunity to ski mountains around the world. It was this love of skiing that inspired her to write her “Ski Country Cookbook”.
Over her lifetime Ellen had countless accolades and awards, among them personally presenting President Eisenhower with a basket of cranberries.
She is survived by her nieces and nephews Meredith Bradbury and her husband Lester of Mashpee, William Poole and his wife Cindy of Beverly Hills, FL, Joan Dmitruk of Halifax, Patricia Poole of Bridgewater and Richard Wassell of Carver. She is also survived by many great nieces and nephews and their families. She was the sister of the late Alberta Poole and Ann Wassell.
Her funeral service will be held Saturday September 8 at 10 AM in the All Saints Church, 44 Park Ave. Whitman. Burial will follow in the Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. Visiting hours are omitted by request of the family.
Donations in her name may be made to the Leukemia Society, Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.