West Lebanon, NH- Eleanor "Ellie" Buell Stephenson, 97, passed away July 30, 2025, in Lebanon, New Hampshire, after a life full of adventures, service to others and her loving family. Born in Detroit, Michigan to Catherine Wells and Joseph Lawrence Buell, Jr., Ellie graduated from Grosse Pointe Country Day School and attended Smith College where she graduated with a major in Math – a bit unusual at the time! On the 4th of July in 1946 she met the love of her life, John Howard "Jack" Stephenson, Jr., at the home of her grandparents. They built a wonderful life together, celebrating the day they met each year thereafter.

Ellie was the consummate volunteer, a committed "Do-er". Following her role as Bank Librarian at National Bank of Detroit, she devoted her time and considerable energy over seven plus decades to the various communities and numerous service organizations primarily supporting those less fortunate. They included Franklin Settlement, Tau Beta, Detroit Science Center, Junior Leagues of Detroit and Columbus, Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus, Ohio, Colonial Dames, Smith College, Five Colleges Book Exchange, Montshire Museum, Omena-Traverse Yacht Club, Omena Historical Society, and Harvest Hill Residents Association among others. Notably, long before the Americans with Disabilities Act, Ellie developed the first catalogue of accessibility within public buildings and areas in Detroit for distribution to those in need. Ellie & Jack enjoyed traveling, including to many domestic and international destinations. However, Omena, Michigan, where they built a cottage in 1959, remains the heart of the Stephenson and Buell families. After several decades living in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, following Jack's retirement, Ellie & Jack relocated to Norwich, Vermont. In 2010, Ellie subsequently moved to Lebanon, NH. She remained active and engaged, playing her favorite game, bridge. A voracious reader, Ellie had just finished her latest book.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Stephenson, and a granddaughter, Madeline Kotlas. Ellie is survived by her two daughters, Cathy and Janet, and granddaughter, Sydney Carlock-Bichler (Andy Bichler) as well as her much loved nephews and niece, all of whom will greatly miss her kindness, warmth, laughter and love.

Knight Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to Ellie's family in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com .

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellie's memory can be directed to the Leelanau Conservancy's "Omena Fund" 105 N. First St. Leland, MI 49654 or www.leelanauconservancy.org