Obituary of Ellen A. Blue

It is with great sadness that the family of Ellen Ann Blue, 77, of Great Meadows, NJ, announce her passing. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 29, 2023. Ellen was born on August 2, 1945, in Bronx, NY, to John and Eleanor Shipman. She graduated from Bogota High School in 1963 and went on to earn a degree in Primary Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1967.

Ellen was a woman of many talents and passions. She began her career as an elementary school teacher, but when times got tough, she worked in the restaurant industry to support her two children, Dawn and Adam. Ellen loved her work at various Italian restaurants over the years, but eventually returned to education as a special education aide. In her semi-retirement, Ellen worked as a Recreation Assistant at Chelsea Assisted Living, where she organized fun and entertaining social gatherings for the residents.

In 1985 Ellen married her husband Michael. Shortly after, they built their dream home in the countryside of Great Meadows. Their son, Jamie joined the family in 1991. And, as they say, the rest is history. Ellen became a grandmother for the first time in 2004, then again in 2006 and 2014. She adored her grandsons and bragged about them often. Her house was peppered with pictures of all three of her children and her grandchildren. Her family was her pride and joy.

All her life, Ellen was known for being the life of the party and having a soft spot for the underdog. Her heart was always in the right place. Ellen was a generous person who would give you the shirt off her back and not ask for anything in return. She was passionate about education and was always eager to help others better themselves. One way she kept herself learning was with her nightly ritual of watching Jeopardy. She was a whiz and got enjoyment out of beating the contestants to the answers.

Ellen will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 38 years, Michael Blue, her daughter, Dawn (Greg) Tobin, and her two sons, Adam (Mirna) Balnicki and Jamie Blue. Ellen is also survived by her three grandsons, Christopher Tobin, James Tobin, and Alexander Balnicki and her brother, Peter Shipman. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Eleanor Shipman, her brother, Jack Shipman, and her beloved best friend, Joan.

A Mass of Christian burial will be Celebrated 11:00 AM, Friday, June 9, 2023,  at St. Patrick R.C. Church, Belvidere, NJ. Interment will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery.

Ellen will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. "For we walk by Faith, not by sight."