Willard, Ellen A., of Humarock, passed away surrounded by family on December 17, 2016 at the age of 69. Ellen is the beloved mother of Jessica Lynch of Centerville and Luke McKinnon of Cambridge, she leaves her grandchildren Ella, Luke, Boston, Declan, and Shyah. Ellen is predeceased by her partner of 23 years, Lila Palatini and two brothers William and Donald Willard.

Growing up in Cambridge, Ellen attended St. Mary's and went on to study education at Boston College. She was employed by the Cambridge and the Norwell Public School Departments where she was a tireless advocate for the inclusion of children of special needs and a pioneer of what was called "mainstreaming" in the 1970s. Already an accomplished professional with a Master's degree from Lesley University, she decided at the age of 50 to enter Harvard's Graduate School of Education for a C.A.G.S. While there, she studied and implemented ways to develop school policies that included all students. Her favorite job as "Nana" began after she retired. While enjoying yoga, dear friends, traveling, mentoring school administration students, and serving as a CASA, her first priority was always her family. Family encompassed everyone she loved and included her cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and the many young people who called her Nana.

Donations in Ellen's memory can be made to the American Civil Liberties Union by visiting their website ACLU.org or by mail to 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10004-2400.

A Memorial Service will be held on a date to be determined in the spring of 2017. For online guestbook and updates on the service, please visit our website macdonaldfuneralhome.com