Ellen Peterson

Born on October 22, 1943, in Rockville Centre, NY, Ellen was the daughter of Perrine Bazzoni and Morris William “Pete” Peterson. She moved many times in her youth from Valley Stream, NY, to Joliet, IL, to NJ, to Decatur, GA, to Darien, CT, before her family settled in Medina, OH, in 1957.

Ellen found her calling in nursing, but caring for others was much more than a career. It was her personality and simply who she was. She attended The Ohio State University nursing program, earning a BS degree and RN license in 1965. She worked as a professional nurse in a variety of places before returning to Ohio State to complete a master’s degree in nursing in 1972. Ellen became a Director of Nursing in the natal unit at Columbus Children’s Hospital. After taking time away from nursing to devote herself to parenting full time, she eventually returned to her profession as a home health nurse.

Ellen had an incredible ability to listen, to understand, and to make people feel cared for. Her greatest joy was her family. To her sons, Pete and Nick, she was Mom. She was a loving mother who they knew would always be there for them. She adored her grandchildren, Charlie, Elouisa, and Caroline, who lovingly called her Noni. She loved shopping for them, spending time with them, and watching them grow. She had a remarkable number of close friends, most importantly her sister Paula. She could spend hours chatting with them and was always happy to share a good story or something humorous.

Ellen relished the simple pleasures of life. She had a talent for finding great values at clothing stores, she loved to travel, particularly to France, and especially enjoyed the warmth and sunshine of Naples, FL where she lived for much of her later years. She was also a fantastic cook of many types of food, most notably the recipes of the Piedmont region of Northern Italy that she learned from her mother. Her peaches with vinegar and oil and bagna cauda were family specialties that connected generations.

Ellen is survived by her sons, Pete Vassy (wife Lisa) and Nick Vassy (wife Erin, son Jack); her grandchildren, Charlie (9), Elouisa (7), and Caroline (7); her sister, Paula Molligan; her niece, Kelly Ginsberg (husband Klindt); her grandniece, Emily and her grandnephew Gavin, along with many loving family members and friends.

Ellen will be remembered for her warmth, her generosity and her unwavering instinct to care for others. She spent her life making people feel heard, loved, and looked after. Above all, she will be remembered for the love she gave so freely to the people fortunate enough to know her.

Visitation will be held at Schoedinger Margarum Northeast, 1051 E Johnstown Road, Gahanna, Ohio 43230, on September 19, 2026, from 10:00 am to 10:30 am, followed by a Memorial Service at the same location on September 19, 2026, beginning at 10:30 am.