Ellen Mae Demske was born August 16, 1922 in St. Joseph, Missouri. She attended Lafayette High School where she met the love of her life Carl Demske. They were engaged before he left Missouri to seek new opportunities in California, she had her first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean and a fabulous sunset over the ocean. It was one of her fondest memories. On December 13, 1942 Carl and Ellen were married, just a few days after the US joined WWII. Soon after, Carl left California with the US Army Air Corps to teach aircraft mechanics, and Ellen followed him to various assignments when possible. Following the war, they returned to Santa Clara, California to raise their family.
Ellen enjoyed gardening, canning, baking, and sightseeing whether it was a Sunday drive or vacation. She was noted for her amazing pies and always greeted new neighbors with delicious baked goods. The neighborhood always knew she was here anytime help was needed. She served as a room mother countless times and even chaperoned a Girl Scout camping trip to the mountains. She was a member of the St. Justin Catholic Parish for 70 years; she got to see it grow from its founding in a stable in 1951 to a thriving parish and enjoyed many a St. Patrick’s Day celebration there over the years.
Ellen left her beloved California, and her home of over 70 years in December 2020 to be closer to her daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She passed away in Athens just 3 days before her 99th birthday August 13, 2021. She was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dean and Alice Pursel, her husband of 45 years Carl Demske, her son, Robert Demske, and her brother Frank Pursel. She is survived by her loving daughter Elaine Mullaney and husband Pat, daughter-in-law Chris Quilici, granddaughter, Kelly Montier, grandson Sean Mullaney, and her 3 beautiful great-granddaughters Robyn, Molly, and Eva Monier. She will be greatly missed by many more family members and longtime friends.
