Obituary: Ellen Westcott, 89, of Ludington

Ellen Westcott

Obituary: Ellen Westcott, 89, of Ludington

Ellen Marie (McDonald) Westcott, 89, of Ludington, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 12, 2024, at Oakview Medical Care Facility, where she had been a resident for seven years.

Ellen was born on January 22, 1935, to Howard and Marietta McDonald in West Branch. She graduated from Durand High School in 1953. Ellen went on to attend Central Michigan University for two years and then joined Tom Westcott in Oahu, Hawaii. Tom and Ellie were married at Schofield Barracks Chapel on March 24, 1956. After Tom was honorably discharged from the Army they returned to Michigan where Tom attended Michigan State University and they lived in married housing. Ellie and Tom welcomed two children while living on campus, Patti and Greg. While Tom was teaching at Morley Stanwood in Morley, Michigan, they welcomed two more children, Linn and Darcy. After living in Hawaii, East Lansing, Morley and Whitehall, Ellie and Tom moved their family to Ludington in 1966. Ellie loved living in Ludington.

Ellie took great pride in their family home on Brother Street. She spent many hours in the spring and summer tending her beautiful flower beds. Ellie had many interests, gardening, reading, camping with her husband, bobbing in the pool in Florida, but her passion was spending time with her husband of 68 years, her kids, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren. Ellie was the best cheerleader at many sporting events. Regardless of weather, she always made the effort to watch her kids and grandkids participate. Soccer, football, baseball, gymnastics, basketball, competitive cheer, Ellie would proudly be there. Gus Macker was one of her favorite weekends. She would volunteer to help with registration and then take her camp stool down to the courts! Ellie was of small stature, but she had a very big presence. She was never outstanding in voice. She was never one to “need” anything other than spending time with her family. She wasn’t confrontational and would always lend a listening ear. Ellie was not the best cook (when in doubt add a can of corn) but she made sure dinner was on the table and her family of six would sit around the table (built by Tom) and share a meal and conversation together.

Ellie had four children. Patti (Herb) Sixbury of Sparta, Greg (Pam) Westcott of Grandville, Linn (Steve) Urka of Ludington, and Darcy (Bill) Gassaway of Nashville, Tenn. She had 11 grandchildren; Jennifer Stubbs, Ian Stubbs, Evan Stubbs, Brittney (Matt) Bouchard, Kennedy Westcott, Joe (Erin) Urka, Scott Urka, Jeff (Ariel) Urka, Tom (Becky) Jones, Tracy (Alex) Jordan, Michael (Anush) Jones and 17 great-grandchildren. Ellie was affectionately known as Nana Ellie and later Grandma Great. She was loved so much by her kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ellie had a true love story with Tom. They were always best friends, confidantes, and forever loves. They did everything together. Through all life’s journeys Tom and Ellie would navigate it together. They met as freshmen in high school and were together for 73 years and married for 68 years. Tom was always Ellie’s constant. Even as dementia slowly took over Ellie’s life she always knew “her Tom” and he was always by her side until he passed on December 5, 2023.   

Ellie is survived by her four children: Patti, Greg, Linn and Darcy. Her younger brother Robert (Carolyn) McDonald. She was preceded in death by her dearly beloved Tom and her parents Howard and Marietta McDonald and her nephew Scott McDonald.

A Celebration of Life will take place on March 11, 2024, at the United Methodist Church of Ludington, 5810 E. Bryant Road. Visitation will be held before the service from 10 to 11 a.m. The Celebration of Life will begin at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Ludington Area Schools Athletic Scholarship Fund or Van Andel Research Institute for Dementia and Alzheimer’s, give@vai.org.