Ellen Margaret Francisco was born in Gettysburg, South Dakota, on March 15, 1933. She married Merl Charles Francisco on October 20, 1956, in Morris, Minnesota, who preceded her in death in 1990. Ellen passed away peacefully in her home in Fallbrook on Monday December 5, 2016. She is survived by her five children, Sharon Oblinger, Mary Fakehany, Lisa Francisco, Timothy Francisco, Teresa Rochester and grandchildren Derek Merl Oblinger, Stacy Fakehany, Kevin Merl Francisco, Kara Michelle Francisco, William Rochester and Jacob Rochester.

Born in Gettysburg SD, she was one of seven children. Her father tried various ventures and eventually settled the family in Graceville Minnesota where he and Ellen's brothers worked a large farm raising corn and soybeans. Like all farm children, she helped where she could and was active in 4H, raising a lamb when she was six.

When she was a sophomore in high school, the family moved to Morris, leaving the farm work to older brother Charles. A talented baton twirler she participated in parades. She also competed in horsemanship on a borrowed palomino, as well as working at the local John Deere dealership as a bookkeeper.

Ellen attended Morris High School starting in 10th grade and graduated in 1951 and recently attended her 65th class reunion. After graduating high school she traveled to the big city of New York to attend training to become a ticket agent for Allegheny Airlines which later became Western Airlines.

While working for Western she transferred to Los Angeles. There she met Merl Francisco on a blind date to attend an awards dinner for a local sports car club. They were married in Morris at Our Lady of Assumption church October 20, 1956. They honeymooned by driving back to California in Merl's Triumph TR2 sports car, along the way having to brave an early snowstorm in Colorado. Ellen said she had to wear every stitch of clothing she had to stay warm!

Upon returning to Los Angeles they settled in the Westchester area and began a family. They moved to Fallbrook in 1986 when Merl retired from Northrop Aircraft.

Ellen enjoyed many hobbies and interests. She loved to bake and everyone enjoyed her oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, peanut blossom cookies and peanut brittle!
She loved gardens and gardening and took pride in her home landscaping and competed yearly in Garden Club Flower Shows.

Ellen loved driving and travel and took frequent trips to Minnesota for family and class reunions as well as camping trips with the Girl Scouts when her girls were younger. Later she and Merl bought a motorhome and camped throughout California and the west. After Merl's death she continued to travel including trips to Machu Picchu Peru, the Amazon, a river boat trip in Europe, a cruise in New England, a garden tour in England, and an Alaskan cruise with her daughters.
A woman of many talents, Ellen loved handicraft and working with her hands. Over twenty five years Ellen mastered the art of Stained Glass and created many stained glass windows and lamps.

Her other interests included doll making, sewing, quilting, needlepoint, golf, and volleyball when she was younger!

Ellen loved people and being involved in the community. While living in Westchester California, she volunteered at St. Jerome School and was active in the local girl scout troop. Later in Fallbrook she participated in an investment club, volunteered at the Angel Shop, the Fallbrook Historical Society and was an active member of the philanthropic organization, PEO.

She was a parishioner of Visitation then St. Jerome Parish while living in Los Angeles, and St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Fallbrook. She was loved and will be missed by all who knew her.

Funeral mass will be held for Ellen on Monday, December 19, 10:30 am, at St Peter the Apostle Parish, 450 S. Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook. Graveside service and reception following.