Ellen Ann Canterbury
TUCSON, Ariz. — Ellen Ann (Jarvenpaa) Canterbury, 95, passed away peacefully from natural causes Sunday morning, March 4, 2018, at home in Tucson, Arizona.
She was born to John and Anna Maria (Luukkonen) Jarvenpaa on January 20, 1923, in South Range.
Ellen spent her childhood in South Range and Tapiola. Her father was a partner in Karvakko’s Market in Tapiola. The Jarvenpaa family lived above the store.
Following graduation from Houghton High School, Ellen attended Suomi College, Northern Michigan University and the University of Michigan.
She taught at grade schools in Hancock and other towns in Michigan, as well as Flagstaff, Arizona, Japan and the U.S. Virgin Islands. She was a lifelong member of the Ladies of Kaleva.
On September 1, 1956, Ellen married Leslie B. Canterbury in Nagoya, Japan. He preceded her in death on December 12, 1998.
Ellen leaves behind her sons, Mark, of Tucson and Les (Alisa Slaughter) of Redlands, California; and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at New Spirit Lutheran Church, 8701 E. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ 85710. Burial will take place at the Elo (MI) Cemetery later in 2018.
Ellen requested that donations be made to the Sarver Heart Center at the University of Arizona, in lieu of flowers.
Ellen’s kindness and generosity will be missed by her loved ones and the many people whose lives she touched.