PORTLAND – Mary Ellen “Nellie” Ventresca (nee Walker), 91, passed away on April 3, at the Maine Medical Center.

Nellie was born on March 28, 1917, in Charlestown, Mass., the daughter of Helen Grace Hill and James Loten Walker. The family moved to the Welchville area of Oxford when she was a child. Her love and devotion for her children were the driving forces in her life.

She worked at the Oxford Mill End Store for 25 years. She was also a member of the Oxford Congregational Church for many years.

Her fierce love for her family was returned in kind. She will be fondly remembered for how hard and selflessly she worked on their behalf. She will also be remembered for her fun loving side, whether it was dancing, playing cards, braiding rugs, or tending to her garden or any of her cherished pets. Her joy in the company of others and her sharp sense of humor made a mark on all who knew her. Always independent, she spent the last 16 years of her life living in Norway, where she continued to lead a vigorous life engaged in the activities and friendships which brought her so much happiness.

She is survived by five children, Patricia Stanislas of Dunnellon, Fla., James Ventresca of Pensacola, Fla., Deborah Ventresca Herrick of Paris Hill, Rosemarie Cyr of Portland and Thomas Ventresca of Falmouth; she also leaves eight grandchildren, Jolene Robinson and Denise Tuttle, both of Springfield, Mass., James Ventresca of Norway, Jennifer Ventresca of Columbus, Ohio, Hannah and Cody Ventresca of Rangeley and Douglas and Amanda Chaffee of Pensacola, Fla.; and three great-grandchildren.