Ellen (Ella) Margaret Riordan of Brockton died Friday December 19, 2008 at the Guardian Center. She was born on August 5, 1912 and was a life long resident in the Montello section of Brockton. She was the daughter of the late Michael and Margaret (Durkin) Riordan. Following her graduation from Brockton High School, she earned her nursing diploma from Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing. She also studied at Harvard, Boston State College, Simmons College and earned a Bachelor in Nursing and Master of Guidance and Counseling from Boston College.
During WWII, she served in the Army from 1941 to 1946. She entered as a first lieutenant, and was promoted to captain. She was awarded the "Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon with one Bronze Star; and Bronze Star Medical GO 39 WC 45". She served in the front lines in the battle of "India-Burma GO 33 WD 45".
Upon her discharge, she embarked on a four-decade career in nursing and counseling in Eastern Massachusetts working in the Brockton Public Schools, Worcester Public Schools, Boston Public Schools, McLean Hospital; Brockton Multi-Service Institute, Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Bridgewater; Visiting Nurse Association; Boston City Hopsital; Cambridge Home for Aged People; Harvard University Health Services; Jewish Memorial Hospital.
Miss Riordan had also been a lifetime communicant of St. Edward Church and a resident of the Ann Ward Congregate House. In addition to her nursing license, she was also certified in Massachusetts as a Teacher in Health and as a Guidance Counselor. She was a member of the Women's USA and Overseas Service League
She is survived by her brother John Patrick Riordan and his wife Elsie of Brockton, many nieces and nephews, and two sisters-in-laws: Geraldine Riordan of Brockton and Mary Riordan of Pennsylvania. She was the sister of the late William, Jeremiah, and Thomas Riordan.
Funeral from the Conley Funeral Home 138 Belmont Street (Rte 123) Brockton Tuesday at 8am. Funeral Mass in St. Edith Stein Parish/St. Edward Church at 9am. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Visiting hours Monday 7-9pm. Donations may be made in memory of Ellen to St. Edith Stein Renovation Fund, 71 East Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301.