Ellen Patricia (Canning) Alberding

CHICAGO – Ellen Patricia (Canning) Alberding, of Chicago, Illinois, passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on July 26, 2025, surrounded by family. Born in Pawtucket, RI, in 1929 to Charles and Alice Canning, Pat grew up in Augusta, Maine, the oldest of four siblings.

She was educated at Cony High School, Elmhurst Academy, and Newton College of the Sacred Heart. After graduating, Pat began her career working as a home visitor in Maine, which set her on a lifelong path of helping others, especially children and families. She then worked for the federal government in Washington, D.C., before the first of many travel adventures throughout the world. She later settled in New York City and married Russell Alberding. They raised four children in a politically active household, bringing them to peace vigils, campaign rallies, and meetings with activist Catholics. Along the way, she also fit in an MSW from Fordham University. After serving as a Head Start teacher, she began her career as a family therapist. In 1978, Pat and Russ relocated from New York to Lake Bluff, Illinois, where they spent many happy years before moving to Chicago.

Pat and Russ had a long, happy marriage filled with adventure, great friends, and a large and loving family. Pat never lost her love for Maine and had a lifetime of fun and joy in her visits there.

Pat was predeceased by Russ in 2013. She is survived by her children Ellen (Kelly Welsh), Jane McCarthy (Michael), Nick (Jessie), and Peter (Lynn); as well as her brother, Jack (Sunny). She will be dearly missed by her beloved grandchildren Kate, Julia, Caroline, Nick, Claire, Meg, Pat, Jack, Mike, and Lily; great-grandson, Julian; and her many nieces and nephews, with whom she had an especially close relationship.

The family would like to express our deep gratitude to her caregiver, Alicia, for her many years of loving care and friendship.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, August 4, at 10 a.m. at St. Clement Church, 624 W. Deming Place, Chicago. Interment private.

In lieu of flowers,

donations are welcome for:

Compassionate Care ALS (ccals.org)