Barbara Ann Elli

Barbara Ann Elli (Van Daele), 81, of Gallatin, TN, was called home by the Lord on February 12, 2025, from her home and in the company of her family after a long and fulfilling life. Born July 11, 1943, in Mishawaka, Indiana she was a graduate of Saint Joseph’s High School and a resident of South Bend, Indiana where she grew up, cheered on the Fighting Irish, and met her beloved husband, Phillip Elli of 50 years, whom she married on November 29, 1975, at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church.

Most of her career was spent in Financial Services primarily with Associates Financial Services and then Teacher’s Credit Union. Upon retirement in 2012, Barbara and Phillip relocated to Gallatin, TN where Barb quickly became an active member of the community by joining Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Community and volunteering at Guild Elementary School, Sumner Regional Hospital and the quilting guild where she made numerous Valor Quilts.

Together, Barbara and Phillip enjoyed traveling around the area to local museums, antique stores, and sampling various restaurants and attending TPAC performances. Barbara also had numerous hobbies including reading, woodworking, and sewing.

She will be best remembered by friends and family as a fun, playful, and loving spouse, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her husband Phillip; her children, Arthur and wife Brenda, Allan and wife Barbara; grandchildren, Collin and fiancé Regina, Katie and husband Brandon, Catrina and husband James, and Philip; great-grandchildren Adam and Luke; sister Virginia.

She was preceded in death by parents Bernard and Lena; brothers Harold and Richard; sisters Florence, Louise, and Francis.

Her ashes will ultimately be interred, together with her husband Phillip upon his death, at Highland Cemetery in South Bend, Indiana.