Ellen Smith Troutman

Ellen Smith Troutman, age 86, died Saturday, December 27, in Annapolis. She was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and graduated from Goucher College. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Dorothy Challenger, and her husbands, James F. Smith, Jr., and James S. Troutman. She is survived by her two children, James F. Smith, III and his wife Matalee of Denver, CO and her daughter, Ann C.S. Fairchild and her husband Lee of Poquoson, VA. She is also survived by her brother, John F. Challenger, and his wife, Marilove, of Boise, Idaho as well as five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Her five grandchildren were very special to her and spent many summers with their grandparents in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Michael Smith is an entrepreneur in Denver, married to Lindsey, a doctor. They have a son, Luke. Amy Fairchild Haer is an attorney married to Graham, a CPA. They are the parents of Henry and Benjamin. Katherine Smith is a board certified critical care veterinarian in Nashville, Tennessee. Mary Ellen Smith is the policy director to Governor John Hickenlooper of Colorado. Thomas Fairchild is a scuba diver in a circus in Macau SAR, China, engaged to Jae Eun Park, a ballerina. Ellen also leaves several people who have become family over the years; the Stern-Peltzes from Denmark, the Reggios of Maryland, and the LeMaires of Texas to name a few. It was her concern for others that brought them in. She led Girl Scout troops, including one for mentally disabled girls at a local institution. She substitute taught elementary school for twenty years. Then when others were retiring and relaxing, Ellen started a charitable thrift shop in Rehoboth. “The House that Ellen Built” has supplied clothes and furniture to many in their time of need, and the profits have benefited the community as well. Ellen will long be remembered by so many who loved her. She will be buried in a private service on Tuesday, December 30, at St. George’s Chapel in Harbeson, Delaware.