Ellen (Callahan) LaPak

Ellen (Callahan) LaPak, 69, of Newtown, wife of Frank J. LaPak, died peacefully at Danbury Hospital surrounded by her family on January 12 after fighting a long and courageous seven-year battle with cancer.

Ellen was born in Norwalk on February 13, 1935, daughter of the late Dennis and Eleanor (Williams) Callahan. She attended St Mary Parochial School, Center Junior High School, and graduated from Norwalk High School in 1953. In 1955, Ellen was introduced to the love of her life at a bowling alley in Norwalk, and married Frank J. LaPak on April 21, 1956, at St Mary Church in Norwalk. After residing in Norwalk, they moved to Danbury in 1963 and then to Newtown in 1994. Ellen returned to work in 1979 after raising her five children. She worked as the secretary at St Peter School in Danbury prior to working at various area law offices. She was most recently employed at Ware, Fressola, Vander Sluys in Monroe.

Ellen was an active member at St Rose Church in Newtown where she was a currency engineer. She loved to read, vacation in Kennebunkport, Maine, and Williamsburg, Va., and was an avid gardener. Ellen also volunteered at the Newtown Historical Society as a docent. Her beautiful gardens were highlighted on the Newtown Historical Society Garden Tour in the summer of 2004.

 Ellen had a giving nature and always cared about the welfare of others. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, nana, and a heroine to all who knew her.

In addition to her husband of 48 years, she is survived by her son, Dennis LaPak and his wife Maureen of Newtown; her daughter, Maura LaPak and her husband Dominic Zancan of Brookfield; her daughter Kathleen LaPak and her husband Richard Jennings of Bethel; her son Sean P. LaPak Sr and his wife Juliet of Newtown; and her daughter Tara LaPak and her husband Ronald Nicholson of Newtown; two sisters, Kathleen Callahan White of Fairfield and Elaine Callahan Kijek of Norwalk; 11 grandchildren, Matthew, Timothy, Tucker and Molly LaPak, Betheney and Brenden Zancan, Daniel and Emily Jennings, Sean P. II and Richard LaPak, and Bridget Nicholson; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, Dennis Callahan, and a sister, Mary Callahan Ellis.

A Mass of Christian Burial took place on January 17at St Rose Church in Newtown. There will be a private burial in the spring in Newtown Village Cemetery.

Contributions in Ellen’s memory may be made to the St Rose Building Fund, c/o St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road,  Newtown CT 06470.

 The Newtown Bee       January 21, 2005