Ellen Joyce LaPusata

Ellen J. LaPusata, aged 85, passed away peacefully in her sleep in Kennebunk, Maine on March 17, 2025. She was born on February 25, 1940, in Boston, the youngest of eleven children to Italian immigrants, Alexander and Angelina (Patti) LaPusata.

Ellen spent her early years in East Boston, where she was raised and educated. She later raised her own children in the same house where she grew up. Primarily a dedicated homemaker, Ellen pursued a career in hairstyling and attended courses to obtain her license. Ellen also spent time as a visiting nurse and fostered many children in need of housing.

In her later years, Ellen found joy in caring for her dogs and cats. Ellen never met a dog or a cat she did not like. Ellen was preceded in death by the animals she cared for including her favorite Jack Russell Terrier named Gabriel who at least one family member loved to hate. We are confident Ellen and that crazy dog are joyfully reconnecting right now in a better place.

If you knew Ellen, you knew that you were loved, but being loved also meant that you had to sit down and have a delicious home cooked Italian meal with her. Ellen was an excellent cook and loved the Food Network shows. She would often add her own embellishments to the recipes and we will certainly miss the meals we shared with her.

Ellen was also a flea market enthusiast and loved to purchase just about any item at a bargain price. Her intention was to open her own flea market and sell these second hand goods for a small profit. In reality, sales were slow and the family spent months of quality time together removing all these fine pieces of art from her home. Even the Salvation Army Store would not accept any more of these priceless gems.

Ellen loved, in this order, her children and grandchildren, her animals, Chinese food with no MSG, bakery pizza, two for one Filet-O-Fish sandwiches, The Food Network Channel, Lifetime & Hallmark movies, dead houseplants and flea market items priced less than one dollar. Ellen did not have many possessions when she left this world, but she left us all with broken hearts and she will be sorely missed.

Ellen is survived by her three children, Angela Mini of Sanford Maine, Christopher Mini and his wife Lisa of Topsfield MA and her son David Mini and his wife Jennifer of Attleboro, MA. Ellen also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Nicole and Robert Cavaleri and Christopher and Stephanie Mini, as well as her beloved, great-grandson, Jordan.

Her funeral services are private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Ellen’s name to the Another Chance Animal Rescue, PO Box 552, 41 Main Street, North Berwick, ME 03906. https://www.anotherchanceanimal.org
Online condolences are available at www.LyonsFuneral.com