Ellen C.

Carlucci

NORTHBOROUGH

Ellen C. Carlucci, 64, of Northborough, Massachusetts, died on September 24, 2026, at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, after a long and valiant period of treatment for cancer. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, a highly respected healthcare and community leader, and a generous friend to the many people whose lives she touched.

Ellen was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, on December 29, 1961, the daughter of the late Francis W. and Mary T. Cain. One of six children, she grew up in a large and close family, and the value she placed on family remained one of the defining qualities of her life.

Ellen shared her life with her husband, Dr. Daniel (Dan) Carlucci, and she was the proud and loving mother of their three children: Alexander Carlucci of Plymouth, Michigan; Gillian Reelick, and her husband Kynan, of Framingham, Massachusetts; and Andrew Carlucci and his wife Linnea Henningson, of Westminster, Massachusetts. Ellen delighted in her children and their accomplishments and supported them wholeheartedly in all they did. She also cherished her young granddaughter, Violet Ellen Reelick.

Family was indeed the center of Ellen’s life. She treasured family gatherings, especially the big holidays, and was very fond of cooking and baking for the people around her. When she came to someone else’s house, she had a habit of arriving with twice as much food as requested, along with flowers and a bottle of wine. She never forgot birthdays and wedding anniversaries even when her own weeks were extraordinarily busy.

When someone in the family faced an illness, emergency, or other difficulty, Ellen stepped up. She made plans, organized what needed to be done, and found practical ways to help. She was devoted to her parents, staying in contact with them and visiting them and, as they grew older and encountered medical problems, making certain they received the care they needed.

That instinct to care also shaped Ellen’s professional life. She graduated from Springfield College in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Fitness. She began in corporate health and wellness, first at Blue Cross Blue Shield and later as Wellness Benefit Manager at Fitcorp. There she taught CPR and healthy-living practices and designed wellness programs for businesses and organizations in the greater Boston area. She was active in the American Heart Association, organizing fundraising events, including the Central Massachusetts Heart Ball and Heart Walk.

In 2010, Ellen joined Marlborough Hospital, part of UMass Memorial Health, as Director of Development. She became Vice President of Development, Marketing, and Communications, Community Outreach and Volunteer Services, and was a member of the hospital’s senior leadership team. She led fundraising efforts for key projects, among them a women’s imaging center, a new emergency center, and a cancer center. She was one of the hospital’s most dynamic and visible representatives in the wider community.

For Ellen, community service was an expression of who she was. Through the hospital, she helped to plan Safe Summer Fun Day, which brought Marlborough families together with EMTs, police officers, firefighters, and other community members and provided bicycle helmets to children. During the pandemic, she was at the forefront of Marlborough Hospital’s engagement with Thrive Support & Advocacy, assisting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The hospital received Thrive’s Standing Ovation Award for that achievement.

Ellen gave her time and leadership to civic organizations throughout the MetroWest region. She served on the boards of the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation, the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the 495/MetroWest Corridor Partnership. Wherever she worked or volunteered, Ellen showed a rare gift for making connections, building relationships, and bringing people together.

Those who knew Ellen remember her warmth, generosity, and abundant energy. She made friends easily. A conversation with a stranger could become a real human connection because Ellen was genuinely interested in other people. She was quick to offer a ride to someone who needed to get to a medical appointment. She volunteered for the Pan-Mass Challenge. She was a natural leader and a skillful teacher. Holding herself to a high standard, she was ready and willing to learn from others as well.

Ellen believed in trying new things. She took up and loved skiing and sailing. She bicycled with great pleasure and went for lengthy walks and hikes with her dogs. She encouraged the same spirit of openness and exploration in her children, supporting the choice of a new musical instrument, an athletic challenge, a new recipe, or some change in direction they wanted to pursue. She was full of joy, endlessly positive. She urged the people she loved not simply to succeed but to experience life fully—to be curious, courageous, active, and compassionate.

Ellen and Dan made their home in Northborough, where they raised their children. They also enjoyed summer months in Marion, where their house bustled with activity, family, and friends. Ellen treasured the sea, walking near it—and for the simple pleasure of looking out over the waves. A happy day for her was relaxing on a beach, reading a book and visiting. Even happier were the wonderful days she spent with her family and friends sailing the windy waters of Buzzards Bay, Cuttyhunk, Martha’s Vineyard, and the British Virgin Islands. Ellen was a member of the Beverly Yacht Club and the Kittansett Club and had many friends in the Marion community.

Ellen was an avid and loyal sports fan. She followed the Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, and Bruins, and, in later years, the University of Michigan football team. She was keen on soccer and sports of all kinds and brought to them the same exuberance and sense of fun she contributed to everything else in her life. Travel, exploration, and adventure: this too was part of who Ellen was, including trips in recent years to Italy, Ireland, and St. Croix.

Ellen was a longtime member of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Northborough, and her Catholic faith was very important to her. It was connected to the overall pattern of her life: devotion to family, concern for others, generosity, service, and readiness to act when someone needed her.

In addition to her husband and children and their families, Ellen is survived by her five siblings: William, Peter, Marie, Carolyn, and Marguerite. She also leaves behind a large extended family, lots of close friends, professional colleagues, and many people in the communities she served.

Those closest to Ellen honor and esteem her abundant virtues, talents, and accomplishments. They will remember her big, happy smile, and the energy, courage, and determination she showed throughout her life and especially during her challenging months of cancer treatment. They will continue to be inspired by the commitment and drive that Ellen demonstrated every day of her life.

Kind and generous to all, Ellen was a bright light of goodness. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Visitation hours will be held between 4-8pm on Friday, October 9, at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Saturday, October 10, at Saint Rose of Lima Parish, 244 W. Main Street, Northborough. For Ellen’s complete obituary and memorial details or to leave a condolence for her family, please visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully request donations be made in Ellen's memory be specifically directed to the following: Dana Farber Cancer Institute - https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2100&mfc_pref=T&2100.donation=form1

 and to Marlborough Hospital - In support of the Proton Cancer Center or ED and Specialty Clinic Expansion https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?svcid=tcs&formId=3e4f9278-5768-4ff2-8c8a-7d5c253f6441&envid=p-dRCy9b-paUSolQoL8q1t-A&zone=usa