Obituary of Ellen Parker

Cohoes – On the morning of January 20, 2024, Ellen Parker, 71, sadly passed away from us in the warm comfort of her home. To the end, she was surrounded by the unwavering love and faithful care of her dearest family. Ellen, a lifelong resident of Cohoes, was born on October 22, 1952, the youngest of two daughters born to Anthony “Tony” and Mildred Harrison Standarski. She was predeceased by both of her parents, including her mother who tragically passed away many years earlier when Ellen was just an adolescent. Tragic though the passing of her mother was, Tony (a veteran of World War 2) incredibly survived the rearing of two teenage daughters in the 1960’s and lived to watch Ellen raise two sons with her loving husband, Donald. Ellen surely inherited some remarkable characteristics from her father. For example, those who knew Ellen surely knew her to be strong-willed, resilient, and possessed of a steadfast resolve-especially with regards to the care of those she loved. She fiercely, and (thankfully) without judgment loved her sons Jarrod and Derek. She also grew to love her daughter-in-law Lindsay, as a child of her own. Although Ellen ultimately lost a prolonged battle with cancer, it was this tenacity of character that carried her through this struggle. Just several short months after receiving news of her terminal illness in 2018 her beloved granddaughter Piper was born, who she held in esteem above all else. With steady, reliable, and loving caregiving of her husband, Don, Ellen navigated the wearisome journey of her illness to so proudly continue wearing that noble mantle of “Grandma, gracious receiver of sticky hugs and collector of finger paint masterpieces.” Ellen earned an Associate Degree after completing high school and worked full time until she was forced to medically retire in 2018. Though she was a valuable asset to several small, local businesses throughout her career, work did not define her. Though she was never particularly outspoken nor sought to be the center of attention, Ellen was always an engaged, important member of her community. In much the same way that she would never fail to vote in an election, she’d also be absolutely sure to whip up a lasagna for a campground block party. Of course, she also had some fun in her spare time, as many years’ worth of stories from her bowling league prove to be the case. Ellen was at once both frugal and fashionable with impeccable taste-one of her favorite pastimes was searching garage sales for some treasure in need of a little creative love to restore its luster. Ellen was a lover of nature and appreciator of beauty. For nearly 40 years, she and Don have maintained a cherished camp in Schroon Lake that they have enjoyed retreating to on weekends and holidays. As an introspective person, Ellen could often be found enjoying a novel by the fire or assembling a puzzle with a good glass of wine in quiet reflection. Though she was not perhaps outgoing by definition, she was a witty conversationalist who enjoyed humor. She was always glad to visit with longtime friends, just as she was happy to make new ones. An ally and confidant to those she held close-her calm, steady presence helped her serve as something of a guiding light in even the most difficult of nights. Though her loss leaves a gap that will not so easily be filled, so too does her memory bring light that can not so easily fall away to dark. Among those carrying the light of Ellen’s memory in her absence, she is survived by her husband of 42 years, Donald “Don” Parker, her son and daughter-in-law Jarrod and Lindsay (and their daughter Piper), her son Derek, her sister Joanne Couch, her sisters-in-law Mary Parker and Donna Pyskadlo, her nieces Jennifer, Robin and Lisa (as well as great-niece and great-nephews Aubrey, Rocco and Roman).  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 4:00pm at the DUFRESNE FUNERAL HOME, Inc., 216 Columbia Street, Cohoes, NY. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 2 to 4pm prior to the service. Memorial donations in Ellen’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.