Dorothy M. (Swanson) Ellis, 73, of Wareham, died Feb. 25 at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by family and friends. She was the wife of Bertell C. Ellis, Sr. They were married for 56 years.

Born in Walpole, she was the daughter of the late Edna May (Randall) and Carl Theodore Swanson. A previous resident of Foxboro and Easton, she moved to Wareham 12 years ago. Dorothy was employed as loan and credit card processor for Chadwick Federal Credit Union in Norwood for many years.

In Wareham, Dorothy was an active member of the First Congregational Church where she was a member of the diaconate and choir, and served on several committees. She was also a member of the New Horizons Chorus of New Bedford.

Survivors include her husband; her son, Bertell C. Ellis, Jr. and his fiancee Maura Conley of Middleboro; her daughters, Theresa M. Biancucci and her husband Philip of Wareham and Barbara M. Ellis-Voltas and her husband Joseph of Westport; her grandchildren, Tanya King, Kristine O’Neil, Paul Bremilst-Ellis, Melanie Biancucci, Michael Biancucci and Jessica Fenton, great grandchildren Nathaniel and Alexander; her brothers, John Swanson of Raymond, ME and William Swanson of Norfolk; and her sister, Barbara Washer of Wrentham.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 12 at the First Congregational Church, 11 Gibbs Avenue, Wareham at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the First Congregational Church for their Mustard Seed Project, 11 Gibbs Avenue, Wareham, MA 02571. For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.