Ellen G. Calderini

Age 80, passed away on Friday, January 8, 2016 at the Saline Evangelical Home in Saline, MI. She was born November 16, 1935 in Dayton, OH, the daughter of Gerald C. and Elinor (Bratten) Grout. After graduating from Oakwood High School, Ellen attended Northwestern University, graduating with a B.A. in English Literature in 1957. She was president of the Delta Gamma sorority and very active in the arts community on campus. Upon graduation, she worked for NCR back in her hometown. Feeling the pull back, she returned to Chicago and met Charles Calderini of Winnetka. They were married on June 10, 1961 and moved to Lake Forest, where their 3 children were born. Ellen continued to be active in the Junior League of Chicago and in other community service capacities as they raised their family in Northfield. Ellen continued her education, pursuing her love of service to others by earning her Masters degrees in Psychology (DePaul University, 1980) and Social Work (Loyola University, 1985). She served the mental health community in Chicago for the next 25 years. She moved to Chicago’s Gold Coast in 1991 and reveled in her love of the Chicago Symphony, Lyric Opera and Art Institute. At the Lincoln Park Zoo, she spent time visiting with the apes, inspired by the trip of a lifetime she made to Rwanda and Uganda. Above all else, she loved her family: her children Tom (wife Kathy and children Jack and James, of Marlborogh, MA), Sarah (husband Daniel and children Charlie, John and Catherine, of Ann Arbor, MI) and David (Denver, CO). Time with her children and grandchildren was her happiest and most peaceful place. She is survived by two brothers, Jim and Philip Grout, and is preceded in death by her brother David. Ellen fought a long and difficult battle against Alzheimer’s Disease with courage and dignity. The grace that she brought with her along this journey was inspiring to all who were by her side. Because she was always striving to make the world a better place, her family asks that any donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org. She would have also wished for any visitors to the site to learn more about the disease and appreciate the need for dedicated research, compassionate care and understanding. Her brain has been donated for study at the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, http://www.brain.northwestern.edu. Services will be held on Saturday, April 30 at 10:00am at the Northfield Community Church--400 Wagner Road, Northfield, IL 60093. She will be remembered for her love of nature, man, and beast; also her passion for music, dancing, Shakespeare, and playing in the ocean waves. Memories of her lively laughter and infectious smile will be treasured forever.

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Ellen G. Calderini

November 16, 1935 - January 8, 2016