Ellen Rose Nass

Ellen was born in Peterborough, NH on February 27, 1948. She grew up in Fitchburg, MA, where she attended Fitchburg High. Ellen worked for Gotham industries and later Market Basket for many years.

Ellen lived in Westminster, MA. where she raised her children and resided till she relocated to Rio Rancho, NM in 2008, where her best friend (sister in spirit) Virginia Curry lived. She met her domestic partner Dana Turk of Rio Rancho, NM in the fall of 2012, at Santa Anna Star Casino (SASC) where they both were employed. Her daughter relocated to Rio Rancho, NM where she and her mother were able to spend the past eight years together making many memories. Ellen retired in 2020 from SASC. In retirement she and Dana marveled at the road ahead, as they loved to travel to new and old places. Together they savored the surprise of cuisine at new eateries. They were each other's partner in crime and shared a companionship of comfort and love.

Ellen enjoyed the backdrop of the Sandia Mountains from her home, where the sky's ever-changing beauty was constant. She was a bird-watcher, with a fondness for hummingbirds and roadrunners. She had a green thumb and enjoyed the beauty that she helped to thrive. She was an avid hot air balloon watcher, cribbage player, and reader. She adored the ladies from ‘Girls night’s and the many get togethers over the years. She looked forward to her trips to the East Coast, to visit her son David’s family including her beloved granddaughters( “Nana’s Girl’s”) as well as her brothers.

After a long illness, in October of 2024 Ellen was diagnosed with ALS Bulbar onset. At the age of 76 Ellen Rose (Gilman) Nass died in the afternoon on November 19th, 2024 in her home. She was surrounded by loved ones… and just as Ellen had held her daughter's hand soon after she took her first breath, Angela was holding her mother's as she took her last.

Ellen was preceded in death by her father Joseph Gilman of NM, mother Eileen (Connelly) Gilman of NM, her aunt & godmother Stella Luster of NH and brother Larry Gilman. Ellen leaves behind her son David Nass, his wife Shelley and their daughters Abigail and Lindsay of Princeton, MA, her daughter Angela Nass of Rio Rancho, NM, her brother Mike Gilman of Littleton, NH, her brother Warren Gilman of Nashua, NH, and her Partner Dana Turk of Albuquerque, NM.

Anyone who knew Ellen, knew she had a heart of gold. She was a kind, intelligent, strong, resilient woman and loved her family to her entirety.

Ellen's wishes were to not hold any funeral or services. In leu of flowers, the family asks to donate to ALS awareness and/or research.