Danielle “Ellie” Petersen
Danielle (Ellie) was born March 12, 1994. She came into this world about half an hour before her twin brother, Daniel, which gave her the right to call him “little brother” even after he towered over her. She was feisty and daring. As a small girl, she would scale climbing walls, ride roller coasters and fly down zip lines without hesitation. As she became an adult she added independent, courageous and empathetic to those traits.
Ellie was a person who made and kept many, many friends. She was a tremendous organizer, planning parties, trips, music concerts and vacations for them. Over the past few days, we have heard many stories about how she touched the lives of those that loved her.
Ellie attended all schools in Lisle and has lifelong friends from first grade. She graduated from Lisle High School in 2012 and chose to attend Eastern Illinois University where she graduated in 2018. While attending Eastern she decided to study abroad for a semester, and took off for Australia by herself, even going to Thailand and Bali alone.
After college, she worked in a sales and customer relations position for several years, but decided she wanted to work in a social service position to help others as she had once been helped. She moved in with her aunt to attend Bowling Green University in Ohio where she studied for a Masters in Social Work.
It was then that Ellie was first diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. She reduced her class schedule and continued to attend classes even as she endured chemotherapy. Her cancer was in remission for two years but came back and in December, finding her cancer had metastasized. This was her final semester before graduation and she managed to complete her capstone project and submit it. The college and her professors recognize her intense effort, and she will be awarded her degree.
Ellie is survived by her parents, Bruce and Sharon Petersen, sister, Alexa Potocki (husband Nick, sons Jameson and Adrian) and brother, Daniel Petersen (daughter Zoey), half brother Anthony Gann, brother-in-law Julius Baker (children Jordan and Delaney), four aunts, one uncle, and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her sister, Dani Baker.
Visitation Friday March 1, 2024 from 4-8 P.M. at Cappetta’s West Suburban Funeral Home & Cremation Services 4920 Main St., Downers Grove. Visitation Saturday from 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. with Funeral Services to follow at 11 A.M. at the funeral home. Interment private. Info 630-852-8000 or westsuburbanfh.com
Memorials may be made to Paws Chicago 1997 Clybourn Ave Chicago, IL 60614
I was so sorry to hear about Ellie’s cancer relapse; a kind soul like her certainly does not deserve this outcome. She was genuine, approachable, and very close to a dear friend of mine. I pray that she continues to watch over her. Thank you for making an impact on many, and congratulations on your hard-earned degree.
I remember Ellie as a little girl at Schiesher and Tate Woods Schools. She then became a dear friend of our son and daughter-in-law. She was truly an amazing person who always seemed to be in the middle of planning some social event. She was kind and patient with our grandchildren who loved her in return. I am so sorry for the family’s loss of such a kind and loving soul. She will be dearly missed. She was loved by all who knew her.
Ellie was one of my students in the MSW program at Bowling Green. She was universally admired and an absolute joy to have in class. I will always treasure the time we spent together. She was, quite simply, everything you want a social worker to be. I hope the legacy of her light and kindness provides some comfort to her family during this time of grief.
I’m a dear friend of Alexa’s, and had the opportunity to meet Ellie a handful of times. She was such a delightful and bright person. It’s heartbreaking to lose her at such a young age. She was making a beautiful impact on everyone around her. All our love to her family.