Ellen Elizabeth Van De Walle

September 14, 1942 - December 31, 2009
Ellen Elizabeth Van De Walle

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Ellen E. Van De Walle, 67 of Hendersonville died Thursday, December 31, 2009 at Four Seasons Elizabeth House.

Born in South Bend, Indiana she was the daughter of Gladys E. Van De Walle of Winchester, Mass. and the late Henry Van De Walle. She had been a resident of Hendersonville since 1995.

She received her BA from Ball State University in Indiana and her MA from the University of Colorado. She was an elementary school teacher for 34 years, teaching in California, Colorado, Wisconsin, and North Carolina. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church.

If a program involved doing something with children, she was there. Ellenís volunteer activities involved many different ways of supporting children. After moving here from Madison, WI, she was the director of the Head Start Program in Fletcher and volunteered with Child Care Resources and Referral. She was a substitute teacher at Hendersonville Elementary School. Recently she served as Co-Director of the childrenís Ministry at Hendersonville First Presbyterian Church and was a past president of Creative Beginnings Pre-School. She regularly taught Sunday School and Wednesday Night Pioneer Club activity classes. She was a member of the church choir, a soloist at times for church services and occasionally led ìThe Time with Young Disciplesî. She was very involved with Operation Christmas Child, leading the drive to have and help others prepare Shoeboxes to be distributed to children around the world. She organized and lead teams from our church to volunteer at the OCC distribution center in Charlotte. Along with her husband Glenn, she volunteered with the Vero Beach, Fla. Habitat for Humanity and the two of them led teams of volunteers to Gilwice, Poland as part of Habitatís Global Mission Program where she was drawn again to the children of Poland.

Surviving in addition to her mother is her husband Glenn Richardson; a sister Charlene Peterman of Winchester, Mass.; four step-children Debra Jurrens of Roanoke, Texas, Jeffrey Richardson of McFarland, Wisconsin, Wade Richardson of Orlando, Fla., and Phil Richardson of Atlanta, Georgia; four step-grandchildren Heather Stemick, Joshua Jurrens, Michael Richardson and Thomas Richardson; and one step-great-grandchild Lacey Marie Stemick.


Memorial

Monday, January 18, 2010
12:00 AM

First Presbyterian Church of Hendersonville - Directions
699 North Grove Street
Hendersonville, NC 28792

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  • January 03, 2010
    Lou & Mary Beth Ganser says:
    Glenn, Our thoughts of deepest sympathy are with you in your time of loss. Lou & Mary Beth Ganser

  • January 02, 2010
    Renee Davis says:
    Ellen was a pleasure to know and a wonderful Christian lady. Many children and educators in Henderson County were fortunate to have her share her love and excitement of teaching God's little ones. She left lots of fond memories in the hearts of many. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.

  • January 02, 2010
    Marjorie Passman says:
    Dear Glenn, I was so sorry to hear about Ellen's death. She taught my son and I taught with her at Leopold School. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a keen understanding of children. She was an excellent teacher. I am so sorry for your loss. Marjorie Passman

  • January 01, 2010
    Everett & Marjorie Dobbins says:
    In His name there is Strigth to hold you . Grace to Sustain you. and Love to carry you through. With Heartfelt Sympathy

  • January 01, 2010
    Pete Williams says:
    Glenn: Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow. Pete & Mary Williams