Ellen M. Slater

Born Ellen Korahais in Boston, Massachusetts on September 1, 1931 to James Korahais of Andros, Greece and Audrey Pomroy Korahais of Patten, Maine, Ellen was raised in her parent’s home in the Bronx. Ellen spent much of her childhood between the city and her maternal grandparents farm in Maine, and though she was an only child she treasured her friendship with her closest cousin Daniel Devlin.

In 1949 she married Edward J. Quinlan, and settled in Boston, MA where they had three sons Edward, James, and John. Following the death of her husband, Ellen moved to Brighton, MA and continued her work as a bookkeeper for a variety of companies including IBM and the Cabot Corporation. She raised her sons with the help of her mother Audrey, and happily saw her children finish school and begin their lives.

In December of 1972 Ellen married Louis W. Slater, and began the second chapter of her long life. Louis, a US Marine Corps Second Lieutenant and lawyer, shared her passion for travelling and the pair embarked on a southern adventure that saw them living and working in Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida. Ellen and Lou travelled to Massachusetts and New Hampshire often, visiting family, campgrounds, and national landmarks along the way, and eventually the couple relocated to Abington, MA and, later, Milford, NH. Everywhere the Slaters lived they became involved in community service, working with groups like Sertoma International, legal aid organizations, and local town councils.

After her beloved husband Louis passed, Ellen settled in Brockton, Massachusetts where she lived with a rotating cast of animal companions, including Sheba, Bridey, Callie, Shellie and, most recently, Smokey the cat.

Ellen is remembered as the loving mother of John Quinlan and the late Edward Quinlan, James Quinlan and infant Diane Quinlan. Cherished grandmother of Diana Calvo & her husband Sean of Charlottesville, VA, Katie Pero & her husband Liam of Norwood, Molly Quinlan of Los Angeles, Liz Quinlan of York, England, James Quinlan & his wife Mary of Plymouth, Christopher Quinlan & his wife Katie of Woburn, Nick Quinlan & his wife Angela of Carver, Sean Quinlan of NH, and Brandy Quinlan of NH. Devoted great-grandmother of Lily, Brennan, Mia, Olivia, Nick, Jr., Nathaniel, Alison, Chantelle, Patrick, and Thomas.

Relatives & friends are invited to attend her funeral service on Monday, November 18th at 11AM in the Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole Street, Norwood, followed by interment in Melrose Cemetery, Brockton. Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 2-6PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers remembrances in Ellen’s name may be donated to the Medfield Animal Shelter, PO Box 271, Medfield, MA 02052.