Ellen Joan Connaughton

Ellen was born to Gerard and Jeannette Jonkers in Holland in 1934. She had five siblings who she loved dearly. The family of eight lived through World War II and the Nazi occupation of Holland. They immigrated to the United States in 1952 and settled in the Washington D.C. area. She met and married John Connaughton and they had four children: Susan, Kevin, Christopher and Terrance. Over 20+ years they lived in Virginia, New York, and New Jersey. At age 50, Ellen returned to the Washington D.C. area where she took a position with the State Department. She ultimately retired from a successful career within the intelligence community after 25 years of service during which her grandchildren affectionately dubbed her ”Double Oma”. After retirement, Ellen relocated to San Antonio Texas and then Croton on the Hudson in New York where she was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Ellen is survived by three of her children and their spouses (Susan and Cliff, Kevin and Susan, and Christopher and Karen), her seven grandchildren (Jessie, Christine, Cameron, Michael, Collin, Sean and Cade) and three of her siblings (Richard, Joyce and Herbert). She was also blessed with 17 nieces and nephews, their spouses, their children and their children’s children. Her family was the most important part of her life, and each family member played their part in making her life what it was - a very happy mother, mother-in-law, Oma, sister and aunt. She loved every one of them.

She passed peacefully after living a very special life full of family, friends and service.

Kindly omit flowers. Donations may be made in Ellen's memory to; The Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. https://act.alz.org/site/Donation

Ellen's services will be private.