Ellen Agnes Strong

It is with great sadness that the family of Ellen Agnes Sluzkanis Strong, 94, of Pensacola, FL, announces her passing on Wednesday, December 19, 2018.

Ellen, the daughter of Lithuanian immigrants, grew up on her family’s tobacco and potato farm in South Windsor, CT. During WWII, she worked as a welder at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, CT where she met her husband, Robert. In 1948, they started their married life in Kennebunkport, ME, later moving to New Jersey then Massachusetts. Going full circle they eventually returned to York, Maine where they lived together until Bob’s passing in 2004. Ellen eventually relocated, kicking and screaming, to Pensacola to be near her daughters. She never stopped missing New England.

Ellen was a devoted wife and mother. She was an avid seamstress, gardener and reader. She loved to travel and sight-see. In later years, she constantly worked on “mind puzzles” such as Sudoku, word search and cross word puzzles to keep her mind sharp - and sharp it was! She was a spunky little thing, always in a hurry. More than one person referred to her as “Speedy Gonzalez”.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Yedviga Sluzkanis; her brother, Julius Sluzkanis; her loving husband of 56 years, Robert Strong; as well as her son-in-law, Jack Launtz.

Ellen will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Paula Launtz and Christine Bernier (Mark), both of Pensacola, FL; her grandchildren, Merideth Fadenholz (Richard) of Kane, PA, Thomas Bernier (Michelle) of St. Petersburg, FL, Matthew Bernier (Heather) of Tallahassee, FL, Michael Bernier (Jeanne) of Knoxville, TN; also great-grandchildren, RJ and Elena Fadenholz, Maddy, Ellery, Mickey and Juliette Bernier; as well as her sister, Frances Charlton (George) of South Windsor, CT.

A memorial service will be held 1:00pm Saturday, January 12, 2019 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel in Pensacola, FL. Ellen will be returning to her beloved Maine for burial.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to the Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart Hospital or Emerald Coast Hospice both of Pensacola, FL.

Her daughters would like to relay thanks to Amedisys Home Health, Home Instead, especially Emerald Coast Hospice and their special caregivers, Marilyn Gleaton, Beth Swanson, Marquia, Tasia and Justice for their loving care and compassion. Without their constant support she never would have been able to spend her final days at her home with her daughter, Paula and their little dog, Sophie. Dr. Walter Rustmann of Mary Esther, FL made her feel special and well cared for, and for that her daughters will be forever grateful.

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