Ellen Tebbetts

Ellen Tebbetts, age 85, passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2025, at her home in Georgia, Vermont, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Berwick, Maine, on August 25, 1939, to Norman and Beth (Pease) Willey.

She met the love of her life, Donald Richard Tebbetts, of Gonic, New Hampshire, in high school and she would fondly reminisce about their first date at York Beach, Maine, which remained their special place to visit and bring their children to.

Ellen married Don on February 4, 1956.

Family was her greatest treasure. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and her greatest joy was spending time with family. Ellen was a homemaker. She loved being at home with her children, raising them, and going to all of their school events. Ellen’s love of all children led her to open a daycare in their home for several years when her children were young. She later opened Ellen’s Gift Shop, which she ran for about 10 years, and enjoyed helping people select the perfect gift. In later years, she and Don enjoyed camping at Apple Tree Bay in the summers, and going to Florida in the winters with their friends. Recently, she enjoyed watching her flowers bloom, and saw the beauty of the first pink rose unfold from the rosebush Don planted in the spring. She also delighted in watching all wildlife, including in the backyard and on game cameras where Don hunts in New York.

Ellen is survived by her husband of 69 years, Donald Richard Tebbetts, of Georgia, Vermont, and by her children: Donald Scott Tebbetts and wife, Sue, of Swanton, Vermont and Summerfield, Florida, Brian Tebbetts and wife, Dawn, of Colchester, Vermont, Karen Tebbetts and husband, Andy Thibodeau, of Georgia, Vermont, and Tina Rabideau and husband, Roy, of Georgia, Vermont.

She is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Sarah Shappy of Georgia, Vermont, Kristin Ouellette and husband, Jason, of Essex, Vermont, Sarah Fortin and husband, Dan, of Swanton, Vermont, Nic Tebbetts and wife, JoAnna, of Fairfax, Vermont, Shawna Shappy of Richford, Vermont, Katie Gauthier and husband, Codie, of Jacksonville, North Carolina, Keith Rabideau and wife, Kim Gagnon, of San Clemente, California, and Stephen Maynard of Colchester, Vermont; and 11 great grandchildren: Avery and Aiden Ouellette, Maddox Tebbetts, Kadon Shappy, Cece, Hailey, and Scarlette Gauthier, Theo and Beth Rabideau, and Sylvie and John Fortin. She is also survived by several nieces and their spouses, together with several great nieces, and great nephews.

Ellen was predeceased by her infant son, David.

She was also predeceased by her parents Norman Willey and Beth (Pease) Willey, her sisters, Nancy Rose and Norma Bullis, and her brother, David Willey.

There will be a private family memorial service at Georgia Plain Baptist Church, Georgia, Vermont.