Ellen Louise Kirby

Ellen graduated from Oxon Hill High School, Maryland in 1955 and continued on to earn a degree as a Registered Nurse from Capital City School of Nursing, Washington D.C. in 1957.

She served many communities as a nurse in Los Angeles, New Orleans, Huntsville, and Cheyenne, before moving back close to home to Accokeek, Maryland, to raise her three sons with former husband Michael D. Hathaway.

Always a fan of the ocean and warm weather, Ellen later moved to Florida where she met and married John C. Kirby. The pair ran a restaurant in Big Pine Key, Florida where Ellen took advantage of the beach and abundant sunshine to scuba dive, collect seashells, and enjoy many oceanside sunrises and sunsets.

Ellen and John later moved to Palm Bay, Florida where Ellen resumed work as a nurse at the Patrick Air Force Base. They remained in the area until John’s passing in 2018, after which time Ellen moved to Lakeway, Texas to be near her son, Ed, and family.

Ellen was an artist at heart, creating art pieces for her and her loved ones to enjoy that ranged from large quilt tapestries to embroidered landscapes to wardrobes worth of knit clothing. She also enjoyed working with ceramics, painting, and ornament making—many of which are lovingly displayed on her family’s Christmas trees each year. Ellen was often inspired by her surroundings for her creative endeavors, crafting many pieces from natural shells in her time in Florida.

Ellen is survived by her children Michael S. Hathaway, David (Kris) Hathaway, Edward (Maria) Hathaway; her grandchildren, Haley, Lacey, Jesse, Katherine, Kevin, and Julia; her great grandson Ayden; her brother Reverend B. John Hagedorn; and her nephews Mark Lambertson and Paul Lambertson.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Service at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Visitation with the family will begin at 9:30 a.m.