Ellie Peterson Coutant of Winter Park, Florida died peacefully on Saturday, March 11, 2017, surrounded by her family after suffering a stroke. Born in Hartford, CT on August 26, 1939, she was raised by her Swedish parents in Newington, CT. Wanting to become a nurse, she attended and graduated from Middlesex Hospital School of Nursing in Middletown, CT. She became Head Emergency Room nurse at Middlesex Hospital and also taught at the nursing school. She married Edward "Al" Coutant on November 5, 1960 in Newington, CT. They moved with their four young boys to Central Florida in 1970, where Ellie took a leave from nursing to raise their family as well as multiple dogs, cats, raccoons, flying squirrels, skunks, ferrets and any other orphaned/sick/injured critter that the boys brought home. Ellie resumed nursing at Park Maitland School in Maitland, FL as "Nursie", where she took care of bumps, scrapes, hearts and feelings of the students, faculty and parents alike. The school soon realized Ellie's talent with needle and thread and she became involved with costume making for their classic annual plays. In 2002, over 25 years later, she left the school to travel the country with Al after convincing him to purchase a motor home. They have shared their time between home in Winter Park during the winter and the call of adventure on the open road over the summer months ever since; meeting new friends, sharing stories with life-long friends, viewing the nation's scenery, visiting historical locations and enjoying each other's company. With Ellie's passion for music, she sang in the choir and played hand bells at St. John's Lutheran Church, where she has been a faithful member since 1972. Besides sewing, some of her other interests included needle point, baking, interior decorating, shopping and Jazzercise. Most of all, Ellie loved her family and is survived by Edward A. Coutant, her husband of 56-years, her sons and their spouses Jeff (Gayle), Steve (Pam), David (Darlene) and Chris (Tonya), seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and many cousins, within the U.S. and in Sweden.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her name to: St. John's Lutheran Church, 1600 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789. A memorial service to celebrate Ellie's life will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church on April 22 at 4:00 pm. DeGusipe Funeral Home in Maitland, FL is handling arrangements and can be contacted at 407-695-2273. Condolences may be made online at www.degusipefuneralhome.com