Rev. Ellen M. Montgomery

The Rev. Ellen M. Montgomery died peacefully at her home on June 9, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 69 years, H. Ernest Montgomery ll, (Ern).

Ellen was known for her distinctive voice, a glorious head of hair and an innate ability to listen deeply. The owl was her totem, reflecting her innate wisdom and quiet nature.

After attending the Park School and the Buffalo Seminary, she graduated with an Associate’s degree from Briarcliff College. In 1951, she married Ern and had three children, working as a volunteer, before being hired as a manager, at the Member’s Art Gallery at the Albright Knox (AKG).

In her early forties, after a period of deep introspection, Ellen felt called to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. After earning a B.A. in History at U. B., she enrolled at the General Theological Seminary in New York City, and completed her master’s degree at Trinity College of Divinity in Toronto, Ontario. Ern supported her journey every step of the way.

In 1986, Ellen was ordained an Episcopal priest and went on to serve at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Orchard Park, and Trinity Episcopal Church and Ascension Episcopal Church in Buffalo. She celebrated dozens of marriage ceremonies and baptisms, offered spiritual direction and officiated funerals.

For fifteen years, Ellen worked as the Pastoral Director at Hospice Palliative Care and was a Founder of Homespace which, to this day, provides housing and support services for teenage mothers. She was a long-time supporter of Planned Parenthood.

A lifelong patron of The Buffalo Philharmonic, the Albright-Knox [AKG] Gallery, and the Studio Arena, which, in particular, satisfied her thespian itch, Ellen was also a longtime member of the Garrett Club and the Buffalo Ski Club. An excellent all-around athlete, she loved nature and spent summers with her family on Lake Kawagama in Ontario, Canada in a cabin initially accessible only by boat, with no electricity or running water. Once, to protect her children, she famously dispatched a venomous snake blocking their path with a single shot from a .22 rifle.

When her children had families of their own, Ellen spearheaded annual gatherings around Canada and the States. While her work was important, family was paramount.

For twenty-five years, Ellen and Ern were members of the Stratton Stragglers, a diverse group of friends, who gathered annually in Vermont. She and Ern traveled extensively abroad but remarked their trip to Alaska had been one for the books.

Born September 3, 1929 in Buffalo, NY to Arthur G. Maddigan and Lillian Doane Maddigan, Ellen was the second of five siblings who predeceased her: Caroline (Kay) Maddigan Parker, Arthur (“Higgins”) Maddigan, Sandra Maddigan Moore and Barbara Maddigan Donovan. She is survived by her beloved children: Carey Montgomery Adams (Tony), Robin E. Montgomery, and Nelson T. Montgomery II (Deanne) along with her beloved grandchildren, great-granddaughter, and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, Homespace, or Planned Parenthood. A celebration of life for both Ellen and Ernie will be held on Sat., Sept 26, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 96 Jewett Parkway, Buffalo, NY. A reception will follow.