Ellen Elizabeth Sullivan Strader

She was born September 12, 1941 in Mahopac, NY a daughter of Joseph and Grace Linhart Sullivan. She married Gale Lee Strader.

Surviving are her husband of 38 years, Gale Lee Strader of Raleigh; step-daughter, Ursula (Steve) Maite of Cuyahogo Falls, OH; two step-granddaughters, Sophia and Sarah; one sister, Nina Benz of Ellicott City, MD; one sister-in-law, Laura Gordon of Louisville, KY; and several other extended family members.

She is preceded in death by her son, Darren M. Strader who passed in 2005.

Ellen is a graduate of Cornell University with a BA in Liberal Arts and a Master Degree in Education. She worked for Sykes Enterprises Inc. in Cary and most recently for Computer Sciences Corporation in Durham until her retirement. Ellen was fluent in foreign languages such as French, German, Italian, and sign language. She also taught French at a high school for two years.

Ellen and Lee lived in Naples, FL for over 20 years until moving to the Raleigh/Cary area. She loved traveling, gardening, hiking, and nature. She was an accomplished musician who played the organ, piano and the carillon. She was a gourmet cook who helped organize a Dinner Club that she and Lee have enjoyed attending.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 8, 2015 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary. Visitation will follow the service.

Online condolences may be made to the family through www.brownwynnecary.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the Nature Conservancy, Southern Environmental Law Center, or a charity of your choice.