Ellen Vaché Meerkreebs
April 7, 1928 — November 14, 2019
Ellen Vaché Meerkreebs, 91, of Frederick, Maryland, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2019. Ellen was the mother of three children, Jean Andrew Vaché III of Ventura, California, Peter Fitzwilson Vaché and wife, Elisa McCoy, of Middletown, Maryland, and Bridget Louise Vaché and husband, John Leskuski, formerly of Frederick, Maryland. Ellen is survived by her brother, Dan Pedersen and wife, Connie of Vancouver, British Columbia, four grandchildren, Walter Leskuski III, Andrew Vaché, Julia Vaché, and Leila Leskuski, and many nieces and nephews from British Columbia.
In addition, Ellen is survived by her dear family friend, Lisa Bill, and step-grandchildren, Emily Bish, Elizabeth Mathews, and step great-grandchildren Alex, Reagan, and Logan.
Her first husband, Jean André Vaché Jr. died in 1984; and she later married Samuel Meerkreebs who died in 1995. She was predeceased by her daughter, Bridget Louise Vaché, her sister, Esther Pedersen McCabe, and her brother, John Pedersen.
Ellen was born in Smithers, British Columbia, of Danish immigrants. She graduated High School in Nanaimo, British Columbia, and because “art school wasn’t an option” she graduated from Nursing School at St. Joseph's Hospital in Victoria, British Columbia. Ellen met her husband, Jean Vaché of North Carolina, while he was a patient at St. Josephs. This started a globe-trotting life, living in Beirut, Lebanon, Okinawa, Japan, the Philippines, and England which was her most favored country, plus many adventurous travels throughout Europe and Asia.
Ellen finally settled in Frederick, Maryland, where she resided for almost 40 years. Here is where she rediscovered her love and talent for art having several pieces displayed in local galleries and even sold some of her original art. She gifted much of her work to friends and family. She also opened an antique store in the city, Hildagarde’s, which she operated for several years. To stay in touch with her love of England she joined the Frederick Brits Club and enjoyed the activities and friendships for many years.
Bonne nuit ma Mére and Soggy Noodles!
Ellen will be placed to rest at Arlington National Cemetery and a private service will be arranged once a date for interment is set.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership of Frederick County at www.SHIPFrederick.com; or Salvation Army of Maryland and West Virginia at www.salvationarmymwv.org/donations/monetary-donations/.
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