Diane Judith Ellis

LAKELAND, Fla. – Diane Judith “Judy” Ellis, 78, passed awayFeb. 4, 2022, at Southern Maine Medical Center, Biddeford, with family by her side. She fought a tough and courageous battle with cancer.Judy was born February 26, 1943, Madison, the daughter of the late Armand and Evelyn Lagasse. She attended Skowhegan schools and earned her GED in 1982.She resided in Skowhegan, Maine all her life before moving to Florida in 2018. She had six children of her own, in which she raised to be strong independent individuals. Many of her children’s friends, and others were considered her “kids” as well in which she loved like her own.She married Lawrence K. Ellis in 1985. They spent 35 wonderful years together enjoying hunting, fishing, camping, dancing, and many other adventures until his passing in 2019.Throughout her life she worked several positions in the food service industry retiring as a cook from MSAD#54, where she loved working and enjoyed serving children in the local community.Judy was a beautiful soul inside and out. She was known for her kind heart, willingness to listen, and fun-loving personality. Her smile and laughter would light up a room. She could talk to anyone, make a stranger feel welcomed, as she was a friend to all. She enjoyed being with her husband, children, grandchildren, and friends. Although, she was in Florida she still managed to stay connected to her family through phone calls, video chats, and social media.Unfortunately, she was unable to meet in person several of her great grandchildren, but she was able to through video chat and that made her heart full of love.She is survived by her children, Gail Fitzmaurice and partner, Kim Westcott, of Waterboro; Allan “Bub” Fitzmaurice and his wife, Cindy, of Anson; Kathy Fitzmaurice, of Skowhegan; Bethany Rendell and her husband, Carl, of Norridgewock; Denise Hill and her husband, Rob, of Princeton; Dennis Fitzmaurice and his wife Darcy, of Skowhegan; stepchildren Derek Ellis and his wife Amy, of Skowhegan; and Heather Davis, of Norridgewock; her 12 grandchildren, Adam, Ashley, Aaron, Brandon, Emily, Bryanna, Conlan, Mikayla, Braydn, Kayla, Kyle, and Sadie; nine great-grandchildren, Haley, Ember Rose, Maddox, Mason, Gracye Diane, Malcolm, Magnolia, Jeremiah, and Olivia; siblings, Corrine Thurston; Barbara West; Linwood Lagasse and wife, Shirley; Donald Lagasse and wife, Claudette; Janet Cassidy and husband Roland; and many nieces and nephews.She was predeceased by her husband, Larry; sisters, Christine Lagasse; Audrey Wentworth; Pauline Runnells; Brenda Malbon; and brothers Armand “Duffy”, Richard, and Eugene Lagasse.The family would like to give a special thank you to her daughters, Gail, Bethany, and Kathy who provided the most loving care and support to our mother/grandmother, which allowed her to remain at home. There will be a graveside service and celebration of life in the summer in which the family would like to do a joint service honoring both their mother and Larry so that they may rest in peace together.In lieu of flowers the family is asking that you do a kind gesture for someone in need as this would make their mother happy.