Elsie "Ellie" Wilson

Elsie was born June 30, 1948 in Fort Defiance, AZ, passed away peacefully on the morning of October 20, 2024.

Her Maternal clan is Blacksheep and paternal clan is Bitterwater and her maternal Grandfather clan is Water Edge and paternal Grandfather clan is One-walks around. She is survived by sisters Anita Wilson and Anne Calabrese, brothers Robert (Virginia), Larson (Emma), Clyde (Angelina) and Ernest (Rose), many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her beloved parents Joe and Rose Wilson, two brothers Eddie and Abraham Wilson. She was the second oldest of the nine Wilson siblings. 

Ellie was an extraordinary woman who lived fearlessly, loved endlessly and embraced everyone including her furry friends. She was an adventurous woman which led her to the farthest places to work in the field of her medical career. Like Boston, Mass. and Kotzebue, Alaska. 

She will be missed and remembered forever.

Ellie’s Beautiful Life Eulogy

Our beloved sister aunt cousin and friend Miss Elsie Wilson of the Black Sheep clan was born June 30, 1948 at Fort Defiance Indian Hospital. She passed peacefully on October 20, 2024 in Tohootoosi Medical Center.

She graduated from Sandia high school in 1967. And thereafter into nursing school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She received her Nursing degree and decided to take that degree to new territory, in Boston, Massachusetts.
She shared this in her own words “They asked me where I want to work and I said The farthest place.“

Ellie was full of adventure and always ready to experience new places and dared to explore the life she dreamed possible. After experiencing the big city life for approximately 6 years she returned home upon receiving an acceptance letter to the 1st Physician Assistant Program offered in Gallup, NM. Her work has always been primarily focused on Native health which guided her back home to native lands.

Her role as PA had a broad skill set across a range of medical specialties. She carried these skills to fulfill critical roles in clinics, hospitals and public health that were vital to the well-being of American Indian and Alaskan Natives.

She enjoyed living and working in some of the most beautiful areas of the country, in communities with deep traditions, located mainly in small town and rural settings like Crownpoint Indian Health Service, Gallup Indian Health Service, Indian Health Centers in Kotzebue & Nome, Alaska

Her love for adventure and decisions to live fearlessly materialized during her time in Alaska. There would be times that she would leave to a distant community and be stuck there in total white outs for days until snowmobiles and dog sleds could take her home.

Due to her father’s declining health she made a decision to return home to help care for him and went back to Gallup Indian Hospital to continue her work.

She later returned to UNM to pursue her next step in education- where she received her bachelor’s degree.

A Medical profession was her goal so she continued working at UNM Hospital and the UNM Cancer Center where she worked until her retirement in 2018.

Ellie had a beautiful life built from the heart by doing what she loved, a meaningful life and filled with purpose. She made a living of it and taught others that also aspired to be in medicine, and helped guide them until they were on their own.

Outside of her profession: She spent time as a live -in Nanny- taking care of 2 young children (Candy and Ted). She was an Actress in the series “Into the west “,
A Taxi driver for 1 night & never picked up the her paycheck, a Custodian on Kirkland Air force base, a medical interpreter for Navajo families ; and enlightened the Navajo people about Cancer at the Chapter level.

She had a lot of love and passion for animals and especially (her dogs-Victor, Sally, Foxy, Attrisca) who were her special companions everywhere she went

She enjoyed the variety of outdoor recreational activities like camping, ice fishing and cross country skiing;
Her favorite sports team were the Boston Bruins for hockey and Boston Red Sox-for baseball.
In her youth she enjoyed watching scary movies like the “Exorcist“, and “the birds”
She also enjoyed going to many concerts: Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Gary Stewart, (and some local bands) - Fenders, and Wingate Valley Boys. She loved to dance to 60s and 70s music - mashed potatoe dance, the twist,
And had a childlike love for Carnival rides,
Later in life she focused more on Church functions and every family event she could attend, no matter where they were.

She was the Best bread baker; famous cheese ball And the best tamale maker in the family.

Ellie was a happy, faithful Christian woman who trusted in God’s promises. As stated in Proverbs 16:20 and in Luke 1:45. Happy is a woman who trusts in the Lord.

She was a very strong, kind and compassionate person, always supportive & willing to lend a helping hand. She made a lot of sacrifices, she was full of life, always caring for others, she was friendly and laughed much. She shared these traits with her family and work colleagues.

She is survived by 2 sisters: Anita Wilson and Anne Calabrese
4 brothers including their wives: Robert, Larson, Clyde, and Ernest Wilson
Preceded in death by Parents Joe and Rose Wilson, 2 Brothers Eddie and Abraham, 2 Nieces Michelle and Hawana; 2 Nephews Nathan , Darnell and 1 grandson Landon.

Her zeal to travel and to enjoy her retirement had been reduced due to health issues. Many doctors tried to assist with her diagnosis of internal stomach issues with no avail. And she was placed in Hospice Care - Instead of 3-6 months she was blessed with a wonderful 13 months. She was a strong woman and fought everyday til the end. She is now at peace forever; her pain and grief are over.

Lastly, “The Wilson Family” would like to extend their gratitude to all that helped us through these moments and time through your love, the kind words shared and the unending prayers. She may be gone from us but we have many beautiful memories made that we will hold in our hearts. Elsie will be missed very much.