Estella L. Elliott

Estella Lillian Elliott, 86, of Grove Street, Venice, FL (and formerly of Billerica and Medford, MA) died unexpectedly at Venice Regional Hospital on Friday June 27, 2014 of an undiagnosed heart condition. Known as ""Stella,"" ""Auntie,"" ""Mrs. E."" and ""Nana"" to her large group of friends and family, Stella was loved and adored for her positive outlook, sense of humor and for having an indefatigable spirit of care giving. She had lived in Venice the past two years to be closer to family here, after living the majority of her life in Massachusetts. Stella is fourteen years predeceased by her beloved husband of 52 years, William (Bill) Lawrence Elliott, with whom she shared an open and loving home. Stella and Bill raised their three children Stella, William, Jr. and Thomas in Medford and then Billerica, sharing a duplex with Estella's surviving brother and sister-in-law Robert and Vera Forsyth and their three children (Stella's nieces Robin and Terry, and nephew Robert, Jr.) Stella and Bill were virtually inseparable and enjoyed many vacations together to the Maine Coast and to New Hampshire's White Mountains. Stella was a fierce fan of Boston sports, particularly the Red Sox and Patriots. For many years she managed a sizeable vegetable garden, and greatly enjoyed cooking for her extended family-especially when hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. An avid reader and fan of mystery novels, Stella enjoyed going to lunch with friends and family–particularly for pasta dishes, as her upbringing in a mostly Italian neighborhood had made her a huge fan of carbohydrate and tomato combinations. Upon moving to Venice, she had begun to develop a wide social network of friends, and was a valued member of her community for looking in on and supporting others. Stella was also particularly spiritual and possessed an unequivocal faith in God's plan for her. This belief was particularly strong towards the end of her life as she welcomed the opportunity to transcend into Heaven to reunite with her husband, her previously deceased siblings (Al Forsythe and Roberta Forsythe Mahaffey,) her daughter-in-law (Sandra Haroth Elliott,) and her grand-daughter (Melissa Fraize Morris.) Stella will be sorely missed by her daughter Stella (Elliott) Fraize and her son-in-law Fred Fraize (both of Venice,) and by her sons William, Jr. (Lowell, MA) and Thomas Elliott (Venice.) Also by her brother Robert Forsythe and sister-in-law Vera (McKay) Forsythe (Methuen, MA) and her sisters-in-law Beverly Forsythe (New Hampshire) and Carol Elliott Moore (Reading, MA) She is also survived by her grand-children and in-laws: Darrell Fraize and his wife Tracy Bailey, Lisa Elliott, Christine Elliott and Brent Elliott and his wife Brie Elliott, and Melissa's surviving husband Craig Morris; seven great-grand-children (Dylan, Holli, Ali, Ben, Olivia, Logan and Bria,) many nieces and nephews, members of her beloved ""Dirty Dozen,"" her retirement friends at Aston Gardens and Venetian Walk, and numerous ""Northern Friends."" In keeping with her wishes, Stella will be cremated and joined with her husband's ashes. Her family plans for a celebration of her life in New England in the summer of 2015. In lieu of flowers or donations, Stella would wish that you find your own way to celebrate her life surrounded by loved ones. Farley Funeral Home in Venice is handling the arrangements.