Ella Mae Massey

Ella Mae Massey, 75, Washington, died Tuesday, April 10, at the Homestead Nursing Home, Washington. A funeral service will be held, 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the United Methodist Church, Washington with Rev. Dan Norwood officiating. Ella was born at the family home, rural Barnes, on February 26, 1943 to Ernest and Alma (Sewell) Finlayson.  She attended Maplewood one-room school and graduated from Barnes High School in 1959.  She then moved to Sacramento, Calif. and worked as a window dresser, living with her aunt and uncle, Evelyn and Walter Pfeiffer.  Ella met Carl Massey in 1961 and they married December 29, 1962 in Sacramento, when Carl was home on leave.  They were stationed at Ft. Sill, Lawton, Okla. in 1963, where their daughter, Michele was born.  From there they spent two years in Germany before returning to Sacramento for two years.  In 1967 the family moved to Boulder, Colo where son Micheal was born.  In 1972, they moved to Washington.  Ella ran her flower shop, Ella’s Green Valley Flower Shop, from 1974 to 1980.  In 1981, she began working as a Nurse’s Aid and decided to continue her nursing education and graduated from Cloud County Community College as a RN in 1987.    She worked for the Washington County Hospital 1989-1994, and Director of Nursing at the Homestead Nursing Home, 1986 - 1989, Director of Nursing at Cambridge Place, 1995-1995, as a staff nurse, Linn Community Nursing Home, 1995-1996, and as a charge nurse at Cambridge Place, 1996 -1999. As Director of Nursing, Ella’s primary concern was first and foremost the patient and/or residents and supporting the staff.  Her gentle bed-side manner and easy going nature, made her the best person for the job.  She was very patient, professional but personal, always kept confidentiality and always had an abundance of hugs.  Words to describe Ella’s personality would be patient, kind, compassionate, gentle and quietly charitable. Ella’s compassion for those whom she cared was overwhelming.  She always went the extra mile for her patients.  She would often by bubbles, puppets or any fun and interesting trinket to enrich their lives.  Anything to bring a smile to their face, she noticed when others needed love and she brought it. Ella’s love for her family was great and she always jumped at the chance to get them together.  She adored the little children at these events and would often dress up at Halloween or Easter to entertain them.  Ella’s hobbies included her love for birds, flowers, book, roller coasters, white water rafting and traveling.  Ella and Carl traveled to forty-four US states and visited thirty countries. Preceding her in death were her parents. Survivors include her husband, Carl; son, Micheal (Becky) Massey, Beatrice, Neb.; daughter, Michele (Jason Stewart) Massey, Roswell, NM; grandson, Colten Massey, Beatrice, Neb.;  sisters, Lois (Alvin) Wiechman, Salina; Mary (Martin) Weber, Barnes; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. In lieu of flowers the family has established the Ella Massey Memorial Fund with Cloud County Community College to assist individuals in Washington County who are continuing education in nursing care.  Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, Washington. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ella Mae Massey, please visit our flower store.