Ellen Kathleen duFossé Wengen, 68, of Lake Winola, passed away peacefully after a brief illness Sunday, June 23, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones and looking out over the lake she loved so much.
She was born in Paterson, N.J. to Peter and the late Majorie Dewan duFossé, Ellen was a 1974 graduate of Loyalsock High School and a member of the first graduating RN-BSN class of Wilkes College, 1978.
She began her nursing career at the Santa Clara Rehabilitation Center in 1978 and later was regional vice president at Kimberly Quality Care, Scranton. In the mid-nineties Ellen owned and operated Angelo's Restaurant, Glenburn, Pa., and later owned and operated several local Curve franchises.
In 1980 she married the love of her life and best friend, Paul Wengen. They went on to build an amazing life together and would have celebrated 45 years of marriage next year.
Ellen was a member of the Scranton Canoe Club where she enjoyed socializing and dining for many years. She later became an active golf member and member of the Women's Golf Association, holding the position of secretary for the past four years. She was also very active with and a past president of the Lake Winola Cottage Association.
She was instrumental in the renovations of St. Mary of the Lake Church where she was also a Eucharistic minister. She was actively involved in coordinating the church's booth at the Wyoming County Fair for years.
Ellen enjoyed playing dominoes and golf with her friends. She also enjoyed traveling the world with her husband especially her annual trips to St. Kitts and LBI.
She gave whole heartedly of herself to anyone and everyone in need never expecting anything in return.
Ellen had an infectious smile and a larger-than-life personality. Both will live on in the many friends she touched throughout her life. She lived her life to the fullest and did everything with joy in her heart. That joy was contagious. Her friendship was treasured by all who knew her.
Along with her husband Paul, Ellen is survived by her father, Peter duFossé; sisters, Ann Celik (Zekie), Paddy Lock (Robert), Ruth West (Andrew); and brother, Peter, all of California; two brothers in-law, Frank Wengen, and Steve (Linda) Wengen, of Dallas; sisters in-law, Donna Wengen, Wilkes-Barre; and Teresa Featherstone (Robert), Swoyersville; and three godchildren, Jennifer Grijalva, Cara Wengen and Christopher Davies.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Marjorie; and sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Wengen.
The family wishes to offer a special thank you to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, especially Linda, Christy and Kelly for their love and compassion toward Ellen.
A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary of the Lake Church, 1872 Dalton Road, Lake Winola, PA 18625, to be celebrated by Father Pat Albert. Family and friends may pay their respects at the church prior to the Mass from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Arrangements, Neil W. Regan Funeral Home Inc.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lower Wyoming County Food Pantry, 326 Maple Drive, Overfield Twp., Dalton, PA 18414; or Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 30 E.D. Preate Drive, Suite 108, Moosic, PA 18507 or at hospicesacredheart.org.