Obituary of Ellen M. Prespare

Warrensburg: Ellen Mary Prespare (née Varnum) of Warrensburg, NY and Zephyrhills, FL, passed away on March 9, 2019, at the age of 92. A lifelong native of Warrensburg, Ellen was born on June 15, 1926 to Carson and Matilda Varnum (née Baker), at their home on East Schroon River Road. While growing up on her father’s dairy farm, Ellen attended the first grade at Lamb Hill School, a one-room schoolhouse, and was taught by Zilpha Gates. For second through fifth grade, she attended a second one-room schoolhouse on the Schroon River Road, in the Voers school district. After the centralization of the school districts, Ellen graduated from Warrensburg Central School in 1945. Ellen was always an incredibly independent woman, and a hard worker from a young age. She worked at the local A&P store in the 1940s, which was located where Marco Polo’s Pizzeria is now, and following, was employed at Walter and Martha Herman’s Variety Store on Main Street. Ellen worked one summer for Calvin Engle at his 4th Avenue restaurant, and retired from the Warren County Department of Social Services after 14 years there. Her most recognizable position for the older generations of Warrensburg, though, was at Milward’s Pharmacy, which later became Boulette’s Pharmacy. Everyone in town knew Ellen’s face during her 14 years at Milward’s/Boulette’s, and she maintained many lifelong friendships she made with the townsfolk of all ages. From the children and teens who visited after school for her hot fudge sundays and root beer floats, to the business men who came in late to exchange the news of the day, Ellen was a central figure in the community. Ellen continued working even after retirement, as she managed a seasonal liquor store in Lake George village. In her off-time, she wintered in Florida for 27 years. On June 4, 1947, Ellen married William J Prespare at the Church of the Holy Cross. Together, they raised 7 children in the Town of Warrensburg, all of whom survived their parents: Marie Winters (and husband Harry) of Whitehall, Stanley Prespare of Warrensburg, Evelyn Harrington (and husband Dan) of North Creek, William Prespare (and wife Sun) of Aldie, Virginia, Dawn Koncikowski of Lake George, Renee Prespare of New York City, and Anna Bennett of Queensbury. Ellen is also survived by two brothers, Ernest Varnum of Middleborough, Mass, and James Varnum of Pottersville, NY, two step-sons, 11 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren, all of whom loved her dearly. She is predeceased by her parents, husband, beloved daughter-in-law, Lynn Prespare (née Keith), beloved son-in-law, Gary Koncikowski, and her precious dog, Falla, but leaves behind her high school sweetheart, and partner of the last 15 years in everlasting love and friendship, Raymond Combs, of Zephyrhills, FL. Ellen was a vivacious, authentic, and kind woman who lived life by her own terms, often rejecting outdated social expectations of what women should be. After high school, she struck out on her own, moving to Pennsylvania and working in a factory with another girl from Warrensburg. She paid her own way, and made her own rules. Ever an adventurous spirit, she travelled around Europe, Asia, and to Alaska and Hawaii, on her own and with her partner and family in her later life. In her late 70s, she still drove herself to Florida every Winter, with the company of her cherished dog, Falla. She was an avid and talented painter, spending hours creating beautiful art for the people she loved. Perhaps Ellen’s defining quality, and the one she will be most remembered for, is that she made it a point to never judge others, to listen kindly, and never let a word of gossip pass her lips. No matter how busy her life was as a working mother of seven, she always had time to listen, and provide advice and counsel to whoever needed it. Ellen lived a long and full life, and will be deeply missed by Ray, by the family she leaves behind, and by the Town of Warrensburg and the Baker’s Acres park in Zephyrhills, Fl, where she leaves her legacies. A very special thank you to the staff at the Gulfside Hospice of Zehpyrhills, Florida, where they provided a beautiful facility and compassionate care for Ellen in the last weeks of her earthly life. Friends may call on Ellen’s family from Noon -2 pm Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street, Warrensburg. A service to celebrate her life will follow the visitation at 2 pm with the Rev. Nancy Barrow, Pastor of the Warrensburg Free Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in the St. Cecilia’s Cemetery, Warrensburg in the spring. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book, condolences, and directions.