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On Saturday, November 16, 2019, (Mary) Ellen Smith, of Harpers Ferry, WV passed away at the age of 74 after a brief battle with brain cancer.
Please see life tab for full obituary.
74 years old
Born on August 3, 1945 in Wausau, Wisconsin, United States
Passed away on November 16, 2019 in Hagerstown, Maryland, United States
This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Ellen Smith, 74 years old, born on August 3, 1945, and passed away on November 16, 2019. We will remember her forever.
Cousin Ellen, Sometimes your friends on FB get lost thru the months of daily routine and I am just checking now to find that you are gone to eternal peace. Tonite, I say a prayer as a hello and goodbye. David.
To Ellen's children, She loved you all so much. We met many years ago in SF while working. We shared so many laughs and fun times together in the city. I have a picture of her with the Julian baby bump. I am so sad she has passed before I could see her again. She will be in my heart forever. When you miss her, take a look in the mirror, you will she her smiling back at you. from your pictures, i see a little of her each of you.
Dear Family, Thank you for creating this lovely memorial. I will miss Ellen greatly. Even though we have not lived near each other for about 35 years (we met in Media PA) we have been in touch one way or another since then. I do not need to tell anyone visiting this site how wonderful she was. I will just tell you how much she meant to me; I will miss her voice and her presence in my life and her humor. I know that you miss her more than ever, especially this time of year. I send you love and a virtual hug
To Julian, Lee, and Tristan... I am so sad for your loss right now. Your Mom was so special. When you boys were growing up in North Carolina, we would share our stories of your latest exploits, and Lee, you spent a lot of time at our house, and we enjoyed you so much. Your Mom was a strong woman. She worked hard, and her children were her #1 concern. She was kind and compassionate and caring. She was a blessing to Planet Earth. One day, we will be with her again.
Dear family of Ellen I offer my condolences on the passing of such a loved lady. She and I were high school classmates for four years, and then nursing school classmates for another 3 years. Then we lost each other, until we reconnected on Facebook a few years ago. She always had such nice things to say to people, and was an inspiration to us all with her positivity. She's going to be missed. God has her in his loving hands now, for sure.
On Saturday, November 16, 2019, (Mary) Ellen Smith, of Harpers Ferry, WV passed away at the age of 74 after a brief battle with brain cancer.
Ellen was born on August 3, 1945 in Wausau, WI to Adam and Victoria (Bukoswki) Swinsick. She received her nursing degree from St. Mary’s School of Nursing (WI) and studied art at the Universities of Wisconsin and North Carolina. She worked as a Registered Nurse in the psychiatric field, The American Red Cross and later in Occupational Health. Ellen was also a talented artist who created beautiful stained glass artworks while raising her four sons.
Ellen was survived by her husband, John Henry Smith, fours sons Julian (Arlette), Lee and Tristan Burgower and Emanuel Brown. She was affectionally known as “Grandma Kitty” to her grandchildren, Dominic and Maya Burgower and Naomi, Emanuel and Jordan Brown.
Self described as a left-over hippie, she was a lifelong advocate for animal rights and considered her many pets as members of her family.
In accordance with Ellen’s wishes, a celebration of life party (with plenty of Credence Clearwater Revival playing in the background) will be held in lieu of a funeral and services at a time yet to be determined. Those wishing to attend may reach out to family for further updates.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Best Friends Animal Society at www.bestfriends.org.
Ellen and I met in San Frencisco in the 70s. it was a fun time.We were both single ladies having fun. our first job together was at a Plasma center in the mission district. It was a horrible place, most clientele were street people selling their blood. To keep down the boredom, we would look for the dirtiest man, and tell each other.."there is your last chance'. Later we had decent jobs. Your mom met your dad. I then had the honor of making her wedding cake. Then came Julian..somewhere I still have a picture of him on a bearskin rug.
Ellen was my gaming friend. It all began on Trivia Crack, where she found me nearly 3 years ago. Then she took me to Words with Friends 2 then Quiz Planet. Ellen would often win against this little shy Kiwi girl. She was an amazing, wonderful, genuine, fun lady. I miss her dearly, as I will our chats and our daily games. My heartfelt thoughts are with her wonderful family and fur babies. Warm hugs to you all from New Zealand