Ellen M. (Gray) Dufresne, 96, passed away peacefully at home with her family at her side, on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Ellen was born on December 15, 1929, in Arlington, MA to the late Gerald L. Gray and Eva P. (O'Connell) Gray and was stepdaughter of the late Grace Gray. She was the second of 12 children. Ellen graduated from St. Clement Catholic High School in 1946. She went on to work for John Hancock Insurance in Boston as a Secretarial Supervisor.

She met the love of her life, Don, at a USO Dance in Boston, MA, and they were married on November 5, 1954, in La Crosse, WI. They built their home and raised four sons in Green Bay, WI. Ellen retired after a long career with Sears. In 1990, she began volunteering with the St. Jude Preschool Program, and for the next 15 years she was the happiest teaching young children to read. Continuing her passion for inspiring young readers, she devoted six more years to volunteering in the library at Chappell Elementary School, where she fostered a love of reading in countless children. Ellen was active in the St. Judes Women's Club. She enjoyed crocheting, baking, reading, watching Jeopardy each night, and working in her garden. She was an avid sports fan of the Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Socks, and the Green Bay Packers.

Ellen was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and friend. Her husband of 63 years Donald F. Dufresne preceded her in death in 2017.

Ellen is survived by her four sons, Michael, Stephen, Dennis, William (Vickie); five grandchildren, Danielle (Fred) Schiller, Kathryn (Bubba) Dufresne-Timm, William Jr. (Paige) Dufresne, Denise Dufresne, Lisa Dufresne; eight great-grandchildren, Morghan, Gracie, Evelyn, Callen, Emmie, Freddy, Joanna, Dominic and one great-great-grandson, Mateo. Ellen is further survived by four siblings, Gerald "Lenny" Gray, Eva Thibodeaux, Ronald Gray, Michael Gray, and many family members and dear friends.

Friends and family will be gathering at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave. From 10:30am to 12:00 pm on Friday, July 24, 2026. The Funeral Service will begin at 12:00 p.m. Entombment will take place at Allouez Catholic Mausoleum. Those attending are encouraged to wear Milwaukee Brewers or Green Bay Packers apparel in honor of Ellen.

In lieu of flowers, a donation will be made in honor of Ellen to a children's charity foundation.

Ellen's family would like to extend a special thank you to Sister Jan, from St. Jude Quad Parish, and to the staff of Unity Hospice for their compassionate care and support.