Ellen M. Maxim, 91, of East Wareham passed away peacefully on Sept. 20 at the Forestview Nursing Home in Wareham.

Ellen was the widow of the late William Crandell and Alvin G. Maxim, and the daughter of Norman L. Ransom and Charlotte P. (Herritt) Ransom. She was born in Boston on Sept. 23, 1924 and passed away just three days shy of her 92nd birthday.

As a child she was stricken at the age of 3 with polio and was at the Floating Hospital in an iron lung for five years before being sent to the Massachusetts Hospital School of Canton, where she received her education until her 18th birthday. Never letting her paralyzed legs defeat her, she married and had a family, overcoming obstacles most people will never endure. She was a fighter to the end and a beacon of light to her family and loved by all that knew her.

Survivors include her son, Bill Crandell of Wareham and daughter, Pearl Alexander of East Wareham, four grandchildren; Chip Alexander of East Wareham, Ellen DeGregorio of Wareham, Rachel Alexander of Wareham and the late Phillip Alexander. She also leaves behind eight great-grandchildren; Amber, Philip, Christopher, Jeffrey, Tyler, Austin, Stephen and Shelby, as well as two great-great-grandchildren; Bentley and Keith. She also survived her companion of 44 years, John Sterling, who passed away in 2011.

Her memorial service will be held at the Grace Lighthouse Fellowship Church, 3065 Cranberry Highway, Wareham, on Oct. 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Funeral services provided by the Bartlett Funeral Home, 338 Court St., Plymouth.