Elise L."Rise" Litterick

Elise L. "Risey" Litterick, 66, of 74 Woodland Avenue, Gardner died peacefully, Thursday, February 20, 2014 in the Legend Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing, Gardner, following a long illness.
Born in New York City, NY on April 16, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Elise (Laureen) Litterick. Elise grew up in Greenville, Rhode Island and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School of Greenville, RI, with the Class of 1965.
She graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education in 1969. She earned her Masters in Guidance and Counseling from Florida Atlantic University in 1973. Elise also attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst from 1990 thru 1994 with the goal of achieving her PhD, however was forced to withdraw due to illness. She received a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in counseling and psychology from Fitchburg Sate College, Fitchburg, MA in 2002.
Elise was a Mental Health Counselor and the Associate Director of The Elise Lindsay Healing Center, Inc., of Gardner for 14 years, retiring in 2009 due to illness. She was previously a vocational rehabilitation counselor in Florida, and for many years was a teacher of English, Speech, and Drama. She was also certified as a Guidance Counselor in Massachusetts, Florida, New York and New Mexico. Elise was an Adjunct Professor at Mount Wachusett Community College of Gardner, and was often a guest lecturer. She was formerly a research assistant at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Elise had a brilliant mind, an incredible vocabulary and the amazing ability to teach. She was an avid reader, she loved to play Scrabble and was a huge fan of the television shows CSI and Criminal Minds. She was a devoted animal advocate who loved her dog Spirit and cat Lackey. Elise had a heart of gold, and was adored by all who knew and loved her. She will be deeply missed by many.
She leaves one brother, Ernest Litterick and his wife Ellen of Florida; one niece, Lynn Natarus and one nephew, Jason Litterick both of Georgia; several aunts, uncles and cousins. She also leaves her dear friend with whom she lived, Marian F. Hagopian and her significant other, Steve Bader; Marian's two children, Christa Pineda and Michael Hagopian and her grandchildren, Juliana, Savannah, Asia and Chase, all of whom considered Elise their "Aunt". She was predeceased by her life-long dear friend, Judy Bate who died in 2000; and by "the boys" her poodles, Corkey and Riley.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, February 27th at 1:00 p.m. in the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner.
Calling hours will be Thursday, February 27th from 12:00 p.m. til 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Elise Lindsay Healing Center, Inc., 74 Woodland Avenue, Gardner, MA 01440 or to the Gardner Animal Control Facility, c/o Gardner City Hall, Board of Health Department, 95 Pleasant Street, Gardner.

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