Ellen Rawding

Ellen (Claffey) Rawding, 61, of Fort Wayne, passed away suddenly on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at Parkview Regional Medical Center. Ellen was born on May 6, 1960, in Hartford, CT to Robert V. and Catherine (Russell) Claffey, and was raised in East Hartford, CT. Ellen graduated from George J. Penney High School in June 1978.

On May 13, 1989, she married Brian Rawding in East Hartford, and they made their home in Middletown, CT until May 2001, when they relocated to Fort Wayne. Ellen worked for Lincoln Financial Group for the last 12 years.

Ellen was a member and Past Exalted Ruler (President) of the Auburn Elks Lodge #1978. The Elks held a special place in Ellen’s heart, and she gained many, many friends through the Elks – not only locally, but across Indiana and the country.

In addition to her loving husband, Brian, Ellen is survived by her father, Robert Claffey, Sr. of Glastonbury, CT; her father-in-law, Norman Rawding of South Paris, ME; her sisters Mary Priest of Sparks, MD, Ann (Bud) Bradley of East Hartford, CT, Kathleen (Robert) Dziedzic of Siloam Springs, AR; her brothers Robert (Lori) Claffey, Jr., of East Hartford, CT; Richard Claffey of Newington, CT; and Dennis (Patty) Claffey of Manchester, CT; her in-laws Larry Rawding of Winchendon, MA; Lynn (Dan) Reynolds of Oxford, ME; Randy (Rochelle) Rawding of Oxford, ME; and Melinda (Marc) Pontbriand of Lewiston, ME. Ellen also leaves her dear friend and “Indiana Sister”, Patricia (Dorsey) Brown of Waterloo.

Ellen was the most loving and devoted “Auntie” to all her nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews: Melissa, Louie, Sara, Sean, Maelan, Vinnie, Belle, Seamus, Arieana, Ken (Anna), Kelly (Matt), Matthew (Julie), Faith (Steve), Randy, Israelle, Kristina, Carter, Lincoln, Ava, Ingrid, Reagan, Micah, Malachi, Matthias, and Titan.

Calling will be from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at D.O. McComb and Sons Pine Valley Park Funeral Home, 1320 East Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, with the Elks Memorial Funeral Service at 7:00 p.m.

The Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1502 E. Wallen Rd., Fort Wayne, with additional calling one hour prior to the Funeral Mass. Everyone is asked to go directly to Church on Wednesday.

A Memorial Service will be held in Connecticut at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellen’s memory are requested to the Elks National Foundation, 2750 N. Lakeview Ave., Chicago, IL 60614. For online condolences please visit www.mccombandsons.com