Ellen Blue Lyford

Mrs. Ellen Blue Lyford of Ashburn, Virginia passed away 1/10/2017 from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. Ellen was born February 18, 1930 in Milo, Maine to parents Gordon and Evelyn Blue. She was raised in the railroad town of Brownville Junction, Maine where her Dad was an engineer for Canadian Pacific Railroad for 46 years. She was active in both Brownville Methodist Church, where she played the piano, and Brownville High School where she played piano, and was both a Rainbow Girl and a recipient of the Daughter’s of the American Revolution award for good citizenship. Ellen graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a Bachelor of Science in Education, specializing in Home Economics in 1952. While at college she met Norm A. Lyford of Augusta, Maine and they were married June 21, 1952. After her marriage, Ellen taught high school Home Economics in Maine, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Ellen and Norm celebrated their 64th Wedding Anniversary this past June. Ellen was predeceased by her parents Gordon and Evelyn Blue and her brothers Douglas and Malcolm. Ellen is survived by her husband Norman Lyford of Ashburn, daughter Carolyn Ellen Lyford Sullivan of Ashburn, and daughter and son-in-law Jeanne and Marc Lambert of New York; Five grandchildren: Andrew Sullivan, Michael Sullivan, Lydia Sullivan, Jonathan Lambert and Gregory Lambert; sister-in-law Una Blue of Brownville Junction, Maine; and beloved nieces and nephews David, Roddy, Debbie, Karen, Elizabeth, Malcolm Jr., Susan and Janie. In 1990 Ellen and her husband Norm joined Saint David’s Episcopal Church in Ashburn, Virginia. She loved flowers and was a member of the Altar Guild for many years until her illness prevented her from continuing. Ellen was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2007 and was able to both remain at home and attend her church throughout most of her advancing disease due to the loving care of her husband and the compassion and understanding of the church community at St. Saint David’s Episcopal Church. She also received superb day care provided by the Loudoun County Adult Day Center. In May of 2015 her disease had progressed to the point where she needed 24 hour specialized care. She then moved into the Memory Care Unit at Ashby Ponds in Ashburn. While there she amazingly retained her good nature and pleasant manner, in spite of the disease’s toll, and this consistently evoked staff comments about how very sweet and loving she was. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 14th at 11:00 AM at St. David’s Episcopal Church 43600 Russell Branch Pkwy., Ashburn, Virginia. Rev. Mary Kay Brown will be officiating. Burial will be at the church immediately after the service.

Ellen Blue Lyford

February 18, 1930 - January 10, 2017