Frances Rebecca (Lambert) Elwell Frances Rebecca (Lambert) Elwell, 94, longtime of Martin Street, Essex, and wife of the late Gilman B. Elwell , died Thursday May 6, 2010 in her home following a brief illness. Born in Bradford April 5, 1916, the only child of the late Scott G. and Rebecca H. (Andrews) Lambert, she was a graduate of the former Rufus Choate High School in Essex, attended Simmons College and was a graduate of Beverly Hospital School of Nursing. Married 1941 in the First Congregational Church of Essex, the Elwells settled on John Wise Avenue where they raised their family, moving to Martin Street in 1976. For twenty of these years she was employed as a registered nurse at the former Cable Hospital in Ipswich and following its closure she went to work at the Coburn Charitable Home in Ipswich until her retirement. Mrs. Elwell was a lifetime member of the First Congregational Church of Essex where she served as a deaconess and was a member of the church's Madam Varney Guild. She was an avid reader, bridge player, and enjoyed crossword puzzles, Scrabble, knitting and cooking for her family. She is survived by a son, Charles Elwell of South Deerfield; a daughter Rebecca W. Axlerod, companion of the late Stephen Morris of Mt. Vernon, NY; two grandchildren, Abigail R. Axelrod of Gloucester and Rachel B. Simpson and her husband Larry of Marblehead, and three great grandchildren, Benjamin, Lyda and Frances Simpson. Her funeral will be held Tuesday, May 11, 11 am in the First Congregational Church of Essex followed by internment in the Spring Street Cemetery, Essex. Family and friends are respectfully welcomed. Visiting hours are Monday 4 to 8 pm in the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in her name may be made to any of the following: First Congregational Church of Essex, 39 Main Street, Essex, MA 01929; Cape Ann Animal Aid, 260 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930 or Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA 01970.