Obituary
Eleanor “Ellie” Pauline (Wood) Applegate, a resident of Avamere Assisted Living & Memory Care in Sandy, Oregon, passed away at her home, at the age of 81, on Friday, January 26, 2024.
Ellie was born in Portland, Maine. She was one of 10 children, born to the late Charles and Mildred Wood. Ellie spent most of her childhood in Portland, ME and Boston, MA. Thomas Pond in Maine was her childhood summer place of respite. Ellie met her ex-husband, Richard M. Applegate in Boston and was married for almost 20 years and raised 3 children together before their divorce. After marriage, Ellie's life-journey took her to Norfolk, VA;Plattsmouth, NE; Lancaster, CA; Bandon, OR; and Portland, OR. Ellie's retirement home was at Avamere Assisted Living & Memory Care in Sandy, OR.
Ellie was a devoted mother and grandmother. After her retirement she spent her time and energy supporting and nurturing her grandchildren. Ellie loved all her grandchildren, and she had a passion for protecting and nurturing the girls in the family.
Ellie’s early adult years were spent as a homemaker. She kept an impeccable home, and she was an exceptional cook. As a Pastor’s wife in the 1970’s, she entertained a constant flow of visitors and events held in her home which she found to be challenging. In the 1980’s she began her professional career working for David Douglas School District, the banking system, and she finally settled into a career with the Multnomah County Circuit Court. Ellie loved music and loved to dance. She was an accomplished calligrapher and artist. Her flower garden was an extension of her artistic expression. Mt Hood and the Columbia River Gorge were her playground where she loved to hike.
Ellie is survived by her son, Richard D Applegate and his wife Jiyeon (Kim) of Rhododendron, OR; son Darryl S Applegate of Apache Junction, AZ; and daughter Kimberly M (Applegate) Manuel and her husband Darrinn of Brandon, MS. She is survived by her sister Linda Wells of KY and preceded in death by her siblings Lorena “Rena” DiFelice of MA, Kay Speed of FL, Shirley Walley of FL, Phyllis Sakay of ME, Brenda Rundatz of PA, Mary Ellen Phillips, Mildred “Sis” Ramond, and Charles Wood. Ellie is survived by 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Family and friends will celebrate her life at the Cliffside Cemetery, Sandy, Oregon, followed by a family meal in Gresham, Oregon on February 3, 2024. Memorials in Ellie’s name may be made to the Oregon Chapter Alzheimer’s Association, 5285 Meadows Road, Suite 451, Lake Oswego, OR 97035.