Ella Ann Black

Ella was born and grew up on Cedar Street in Dedham Massachusetts in a house that her grandfather and grandmother built. As a child, Ella loved to dance and took dance lessons. Singing, playing piano, and theater were among her favorite activities. She attended Mount St. Joseph Academy High School in Brighton MA as a boarding student. She forever treasured her memories of her time there. Ella attended Staley College of the Spoken Word on scholarship. Continuing her love of theater, she played Lady McBeth in Shakespeare's McBeth. On Feb 27,1954 in her junior year she married Maynard Black Jr. Ella and Maynard knew each other all of their lives as their mothers were childhood friends. They used to joke that when they found out they weren't cousins they decided to get married.

Ella enjoyed her life as an army wife and supported her husband as he served for 21 years in the US Army. During his enlistment they were stationed in many places including Germany and Ethiopia. Ella enjoyed telling stories about her adventures in Africa. After Maynard retired, they moved their five children to Harwich Mass and added twin boys (surprise!). On Christmas day 1981, fulfilling a lifetime dream to see the country that Maynard fought for, Ella, Maynard and their four youngest children, traveled across the country.

Later in life, after the loss of her husband, Ella stayed active, learning to ski at the age of sixty, mastering the bunny slopes, joining the Saints and Singers Choir, and becoming a member of the Lay Carmelites. As a Carmelite, Ella fulfilled her desire for a deeper spirituality.

A long time Cape resident, Ella lived in Harwich for thirty years and Sandwich for 25 years. Many people knew Ella by her nickname Happy, which described her very well. Her smile and her cheery disposition always lit up a room. The greatest treasures in life for Ella were her family: Her husband, her seven children, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren brought her the greatest joy.

Ella is preceded in death by her husband Maynard Black Jr., her two sisters Charlotte Lile and Ann Carr, her daughter Diann Black, her son Maynard Black III, and her grandson Keith Wilson. She is survived by her daughter-in-law Sue Black and her three daughters Mary Wilson and her husband Geoffrey, Michelle Wesley and her husband Dale, Deidre Smith and her husband Michael, her daughter in law Amparo Schwartz, her twin sons Bryan Black and his wife Susan, and Gerard Black and his wife Raquel. She has nineteen grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be held on October 29, 2025 at St. John The Evangelist Church, 841 Shore Road Pocasset MA 02559 at 10:00am. Please join the family for a reception after the mass. The burial will be at 2:00pm at the National Cemetery, Connery Ave. Bourne, MA 02532.

Ella loved pastels, pinks, purples, and blues. Feel free to wear a pop of her favorite color.