Ellin Paquette, artist, gardener

 Ellin Louise Paquette, 76, of Villanova, an artist and gardener who was the wife of former Philadelphia Electric Co. chairman Joseph F. Paquette Jr., died Friday, Feb. 22, of brain cancer at her home.

Known as "Addie" to friends and family, Mrs. Paquette was married for 54 years to the man she met in 1956 while walking home from the Jenkintown train station. He had recently moved into an apartment across the street from her house.

"The cute girl from the telephone company met the handsome young man from the electric company, and they quickly began what would become more than a half-century of walking side by side," said her son, Christopher H.

The two wed in 1958 and raised three children in Abington.

Born in Wyncote, Mrs. Paquette attended the Academy of Notre Dame in Wyncote before graduating from St. Basil Academy in Jenkintown. She also took classes at Temple University.

Before marrying, she worked for Bell Telephone Co. of Pennsylvania and later taught kindergarten at Achillea Academy.

Her passion, though, was art. She loved photography and creating mixed-media collages. She was skilled in the use of 35 mm and medium-format film photography, and had a home darkroom for several years.

Mrs. Paquette participated in numerous art exhibits and spent many hours in the art studios of Bucks County Community College, Abington Art Center, and Main Line Art Center.

"The artistic spirit never left her, and she astonished those around her by continuing to make photographs and assemble collage materials until the final weeks of her life," said her son.

An accomplished gardener, Mrs. Paquette was a member of the Suburban Garden Club. She was very proud of "Monet's Garden," the club's display that won a blue ribbon in the 1991 Philadelphia Flower Show; she helped to design and execute the entry.

Her home garden was on the itinerary of numerous Main Line garden tours and was featured in The Inquirer.

She was a Cub Scout den mother, was involved in the Abington Hospital Auxiliary and Questers, and was a board member of Philadelphia Hospitality.

She was a member of the Acorn Club, Philadelphia Country Club, Huntingdon Valley Country Club, Merion Cricket Club, and the Moorings in Vero Beach, Fla.

Mrs. Paquette enjoyed travel, tennis, and golf. She long advocated a healthy diet and lifestyle.

A caring, upbeat person, Mrs. Paquette played a big part in the lives of all eight grandchildren.

"She enthusiastically kept in touch . . . by learning how to text and use Facebook," her son said.

In addition to her husband, son, and grandchildren, Mrs. Paquette is survived by daughters Mary Alexandra Anastasio and Ellin Paquette Haab; three sisters; and 10 nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Chadwick & McKinney Funeral Home, 30 E. Athens Ave., Ardmore. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at St. John Vianney Roman Catholic Church, Conshohocken State Road and Youngsford Road, Gladwyne.

Donations may be made to the Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, 480 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr, Pa. 19010.