Barbara Ann (Simmons) Ellis, 80, died Friday August 8, 2025, at Milford Regional Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her devoted husband of 59 years, William L. Ellis, son Scott Ellis of Pittsfield, MA and his former wife, Pamela Ellis; two daughters, Paula and her husband Daniel Wright of Northbridge and Jennifer and her husband Jason Walsh of Douglas; 4 grandchildren, Allison Wright and her husband Daniel Durfee, Bethany Wright and her husband Stewart Draheim, Benjamin Walsh and William "Billy" Ellis; 2 great granddaughters, Caroline and Adelaide. Mrs. Ellis was predeceased by her brothers Charles, Robert, Leon and Richard Simmons and her sister Pauline Magowan. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.

Born on February 24, 1945, in Whitinsville, MA, she was the daughter of the late Leon and Goldie (Maker) Simmons. Barbara was a graduate of Northbridge High School Class of 1963. Over the years Barbara worked as a CNA at the former Beaumont Nursing Home, in the office at The Blackstone Valley Tribune, as a secretary at an insurance firm in Worcester and retired in 2007 from Milford Hospital as a Central Service Technician.

In her later years Barbara was an avid yard sale enthusiast, she enjoyed having Bill map out the route, dragging him along to drive and carry the treasures she would find before stopping for a bit to eat on the way home! This made for exciting weekend adventures the two of them will never forget. She also enjoyed spending time at the oceans of ME, RI and the Cape, where she loved feeding the seagulls, was an avid reader, doted on her many cats over the years, most recently, Simon and Molly, aka “the kids”, but she especially loved and cherished the time spent with her family, the most important part of her life.

Barbara's calling hours will be held on Wednesday, August 13, from 4-7p.m. at Carr Funeral Home 24 Hill St. Whitinsville, MA, a funeral service, in the funeral home, will be Thursday, August 14, at 10am, followed by a burial at Pine Grove Cemetery, Linwood Ave. Whitinsville, MA. Barbara's family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to the compassionate staff at Milford Hospital. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or The Association for Autism and Neurodiversity.