Ellen Rita (Adomunes) Herrington, 75, of Melrose, Massachusetts, passed away surrounded by family at her home on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, following a brief illness. Ellen was born on July 5, 1947 to the late Ignatius and Helen Adomunes. Ellen was raised in Dorchester and graduated from Cardinal Cushing High School in 1965. She earned a diploma from Boston City Hospital School of Nursing in 1968. Ellen went on to enjoy a long career in nursing, spending more than four decades at Boston City Hospital and then its successor, Boston Medical Center. Ellen spent most of her nursing career in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, where she cared for young patients and their families with dedication and compassion. She greatly valued her friendships with her nursing colleagues, many of whom became a second family to her.

Ellen married James F. Herrington in 1971. Ellen and Jim settled in Melrose, Massachusetts where they raised their two daughters. She loved the city and her home, and took great pride in decorating and renovating her home over the years. Ellen loved to cook for and entertain her extended family and friends, and enjoyed several lifelong friendships, dating as far back as nursing school and even Kindergarten. She loved spending time at the beach, including Hampton Beach as a child and young woman, West Hyannisport at the home she shared with Jim, and many family trips to Sanibel Island, Florida. Ellen and Jim enjoyed traveling, including river cruises with friends in recent years. Most of all, Ellen loved spending time with her six grandchildren, who knew her as Sparky and loved her very much.

Ellen is survived by her husband, Jim; her daughter, Lisa Herrington and her husband John Sutich of Charlestown, Massachusetts, daughter Jessica Sullivan and husband Neil of Melrose, Massachusetts; grandchildren Thomas, Sophia, Meryl, Anna, Leo and Kate; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Mary Ann Cushing and her husband Francis, her brother-in-law, Charles Decourcy, and sister-in-law, Kathleen Herrington; and is survived by her brother, Robert Adomunes, her brother, Gerard Adomunes and his wife Ruth, her brother-in-law, David Herrington, sister-in-law, Maryann Decourcy and her partner Michael Dever, and sister-in-law, Teresa Mahoney and her husband James. She will be greatly missed by all.

Family and friends may pay their respects on Monday, September 26, 2022 from 4:00 -7:00 PM at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster Street, Melrose, Massachusetts. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Church of the Incarnation, 429 Upham Street, Melrose, Massachusetts. Interment will follow at later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ellen Adomunes Herrington Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will support nursing education, care of the Melrose High School Permanent Scholarship Fund @ www.mhsfund.org.