Ellen Small

Ellen V. Small, 95, a resident of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, passed away on March 21, 2018 at St. Johnsbury Health & Rehabilitation after a period of declining health.

Ellen was born on November 13, 1922, the oldest child of Royal and Anna (Ondracek) Kroboth in New York City.  She was the oldest of seven children.  Her parents were deaf and Ellen was a skilled user of ASL.  Over the years, as her siblings grew up and moved to different parts of the country, she took great pleasure in staying in touch with them and their children, sending many cards, letters and small gifts.

As a child and young adult, Ellen lived and was educated in NYC and spent many summers in Fairfield, CT.

Soon after graduating from High school, Ellen married Edwin J. Connors, Sr.  They had two children.  In 1957 they moved to Jamaica, VT and soon after decided to separate.  Ellen stayed in Vermont with her children and in 1962 married Theron B. Small.  Ellen and Theron moved to Huntington, Massachusetts in 1963.

Ellen enjoyed many hobbies.  She knitted an untold number of sweaters for family and friends, crocheted table covers, bead spreads and doilies.  Ellen took great pleasure in observing nature, feeding birds and even the raccoon visitors to her backyard.  Taking photos of family gatherings, places she traveled, wildlife in her yard and her cats was a noted past time giving her family a visual history to enjoy.

Surviving family members include her daughter Gwen Kinney and her partner Darlene Ahrens of Sutton, VT, grandchildren Ellyne Kinney and Dr. Mark Spano of Portola, CA, Luther and Zora Kinney of Sugar Hill, NH, Nathaniel Kinney of Johnson, VT, Christopher Connors of Seattle, WA, a much beloved great-granddaughter Lola Kinney of Sugar Hill, NH, a sister and brother-in-law Cornelia and Robert Strohmeier of San Jose, CA, a brother Robert Kroboth of Rochester, NY, a sister-in-law

Lynda Kroboth of Vestal, NY and many nieces and nephews. Ellen was predeceased by her husband Theron, her son Edwin J. Connors, II, four siblings and two nieces.

A family celebration of Ellen’s life will be held at a later date.

For those wishing to do so, donations may be made in her name to Kingdom Animal Shelter, PO Box 462, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.

Sayles Funeral Home of St Johnsbury, VT is in charge of arrangements.