Eva Wallin Ellman

June 1, 1942 - July 22, 2020
Eva Wallin Ellman

Memorial Gifts & Donations




Eva Wallin Ellman, age 78 of Wilmington passed away Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Center.

Eva Ellman was born Eva Wallin in Lund, Sweden on June 1, 1942. Her family, parents Jenny and Gustav, and older sister Lisa, emigrated to the United States in 1946. They settled in the suburbs of Chicago, IL. Eva graduated from Lyons Township High School in 1960 and went to work as a secretary at International Harvester. There she met her husband of 56 years, Rich Ellman. Eva stopped working for several years to raise her family – daughter Lisa was born 11/5/1964, and daughter Chrissy was born 6/29/1968. The family moved from the Chicago suburbs to West Palm Beach, FL in 1979 where Eva worked for a real estate company part time. In 1982 the family moved to Charlotte, NC where she worked at CF Airfreight until she retired in 1992. After moving to Lake Norman, Eva began working part time at the Needlecraft Center in Davidson, NC. When she and Rich moved to Wilmington, Eva became highly involved in a network of knitters, who became her best friends.

Eva’s main passion, after her family, has always been knitting. She was a self proclaimed “KnitKnut” and left her mark wherever she went. Everyone loved Eva – her super witty sense of humor, brilliant mind, and incredible talent for knitting and crocheting. She could knit a pair of socks in a few hours.

Even after her Pancreatic Cancer diagnosis, Eva fought for 11 months, doing everything she was told, and maintained her high spirits and sense of humor. The latter being a bit warped in the best possible way. She will be missed by so many.

Because of Covid the Family will not be having any services at this time but after this pandemic they will have a celebration of her life.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests a donation to lifecare.org (Hospice) or www.pancan.org (pancreatic cancer site).

Share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the “Condolence” tab.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-791-9099


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  • July 24, 2020
    Miranda Dungan says:
    I am so sad to hear that our beloved Eva is no longer with us. She was the soul and life of the knit shop crew and we all recognized her as the Queen. She was so generous with her knowledge and such an amazing knitter, that we all depended on her for guidance, I think about her always when I knit and I have so missed seeing her during her long illness. I am glad she is no longer suffering but I miss her deeply and she will remain in my heart as a special friend. My condolences for Rich and her family.

  • August 02, 2020
    Mary Alexanian says:
    Eva’s friends at the knit shop will never forget her. She had been a vital part in getting us all out of our knitting frustrations. I do not believe there was any knitting problem she could not solve. We definitely had to concentrate on what she was always teaching us. Helping others was not sufficient for her---she was a true friend to all and we all loved her in return. Eva became our Queen with her special chair at the Quarter Stitch knit shop. Even in her absence, her designated chair was highly respected when empty. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rich and their two daughters. Eva is at peace now feeling no pain in the arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. The rest of us will live on having had the privilege of knowing her and all the acquired knitting knowledge this lovely noble lady shared with us all.

  • July 27, 2020
    jenny hodges says:
    i will remember eva every time i pick up a knitting project (she was our knitting guru/could fix anything); every time i make milk choc chip cookies w walnuts (she did not like semisweet choc and was allergic to pecans) and she was right as usual they were better!; and every yr on my gr nephew's bd which is the same as eva's june 1st. but that is not all - she was a wonderful friend/always willing to help and the most non-judgemental person i have ever known - she will be missed every day

  • July 26, 2020
    Michael Flora & Family says:
    Thanks for taking care of Rich, Lisa, and Chrissy all of these years. Everyone expected more time with you, but we’re blessed by the time given. God Speed Eva Wallin Ellman.

  • July 25, 2020
    Melanie Philips says:
    My prayers and love to Rich and the girls. What an incredible human being. Always ready to help and to listen. Always ready to lend some needles and sage advice. Cheers sweet friend! I raise a glass of Glugg to you!!!