Ellen Resch

Ellen Resch, of Marianna, Florida, died November 1, 2026, at the age of 70, following a long illness.

Born in 1956 to William Albert Resch Jr. and Jane Ellen Crecelius Resch, Ellen grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee, surrounded by the rolling hills and mountains of Appalachia that she loved throughout her life.

Ellen was highly intelligent, fiercely independent, deeply private, proud, loyal, and by her family’s loving account, more than a little stubborn. She believed in doing the right thing, taking care of the people who mattered to her, and keeping much of the rest to herself. Even her children were sometimes left guessing about what she was thinking. That was simply Ellen.

She was an avid reader with an intensely curious mind, but she also loved to laugh and shared that sense of humor with those around her. She appreciated a good one-liner enough to keep a written collection of favorites and was never afraid to laugh at herself.

Ellen loved her family, especially her children and grandchildren. She treasured the weekly phone calls she shared with her sister, FaceTime calls and visits with her children and grandchildren, and following their seemingly endless activities. She kept up with family near and far, taking a genuine interest in their lives.

Ellen loved animals. Cats seemed particularly drawn to her, and over the years she became something of a neighborhood cat whisperer, attracting and looking after cats that somehow seemed to know where to find her. But perhaps no animal held quite the same place in her heart as Roscoe, her beloved standard poodle. Roscoe was, as Ellen would tell you, a good dog. Long after he was gone, she still talked about him, and his pictures remained around her home.

She spent most of her professional life at Florida State Hospital, where she worked in psychology and developed a particular love for the internship program she ran and the professionals she helped train. She took pride not only in the work itself, but in seeing the people she mentored grow into capable professionals and build careers of their own. Her connection to the hospital and its work ran deep. Retirement never quite took. She retired after 30 years and promptly went back to work for another 15. Her loyalty to her colleagues, her profession and the work itself was difficult to separate from who she was.

Ellen faced cancer much as she approached the rest of her life: privately, stubbornly and with remarkable determination. Her children suggested retirement more times than they could count. She wasn’t particularly interested in the suggestion. She continued working, caring about the people around her, and living on her own terms for as long as she could.

Even her children did not always realize the breadth of the relationships Ellen had built over the years. Her illness brought into clearer view just how many colleagues, friends, former interns and others cared deeply for her, and how much she cared for them in return. She kept things close to herself, but the mark she left on other people extended much further than she ever let on.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Perkins; her parents, William Albert Resch Jr. and Jane Ellen Crecelius Resch; her brother, William Albert “Hank” Resch III; and her sister, Mary Resch.

She is survived by her children, David Berland (Alison) of Brooklyn, Wisconsin, Randy Perkins (Andrea) of Marianna, and Mary Perkins (Chris) of Dallas; her stepchildren, Laura Perkins Kent of Marianna and Jeremy Perkins (Brandi) of Bascom; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and the many friends, colleagues and former interns whose lives became intertwined with hers over a career spanning nearly five decades.

A visitation will be from 5-7 PM Thursday, November 5, 2026, at James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel. 

In honor of Ellen’s lifelong love of animals, the family welcomes donations to Partners for Pets, a local animal rescue organization she frequently supported.