Ellen J. Garrison

Ellen J. Garrison, age 88 of Buffalo at home on May 29, 2015 after a long illness. Ellen earned a degree in Physical Therapy from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She worked at several area hospitals before joining the professional staff of the West Seneca Developemental Center, where she was an Administrative Chief of Service. After retiring, she continued to share her talents by volunteering at Bornhava, an early childhood center for children with developmental disabilities and served for many years on the Board of Directors.
Ellen was the daughter of the late Elsie (nee Stuart) Garrison, niece of the late Doris and Edgar Nicholson, cousin to the late Weston Nicholson, Betty Jane Burtch and Dorothy Schoenfeldt and Nana to the late Melanie Strassburg and David Schoenfeldt.
Beloved friend of Linda Pirk, cherished cousin and Nana to Beth (William) Exton, Christine (Duane) Townsend, John (Bettie) Burtch, Paul (Althea) Schoenfeldt and Thomas (Nancy) Burtch.
A celebration of Ellen’s life will be held on June 12th at 11:00 AM at North Presbyterian Church, 168 Payne Ave., North Tonawanda. Interment will be at Pekin Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Susan B. Komen Fund or the Western New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association or Buffalo Hospice, Inc.
Ellen was devoted to her friends and family. She gave a lifetime of loving care to others and dedicated her abilities to the cause of serving disabled children. Unfailingly generous of her time and talents, she was respected and admired by those whose lives she touched. Ellen had a deep appreciation for the beauties of the natural world and adored the time she spent at the rural cabin she had in the hills of Nunda, NY. Ellen Garrison was a “Family Treasure” of the best kind.