Ellen was born in Columbia, TN and raised in Nashville, TN. She attended the University of Tennessee where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1949. Prior to settling in Sussex County Ellen spent 30 years in Toms River, NJ. She worked as a Social Worker for Monmouth County Board of Social Services for many years. Having a background in dietary needs, Ellen taught client families economical ways to prepare healthy meals.
Ellen was active with her sorority, Sigma Kappa, and was a huge fan of the University of Tennessee Volunteers. She enjoyed baseball, especially the Atlanta Braves. Ellen was also a lifelong member of the Church of Christ.
Ellen was predeceased by her husband, Thomas F. Dillon; her son, Kerry Dillon; her parents, J.O. and Ellen G. (Hopwood) Taylor; and her brothers, John and Robert Eugene Taylor. She is survived by her children, Dennis Dillon and wife, Beverly Manetta, Richard “Larry” Dillon and wife, Michelle (Burozski), and Jeannine Flanagan and husband, Michael; her grandchildren, Seth (Rebecca Sanchez) and Keenan Manetta-Dillon, Larissa, Brandt, Lucas, and Isabella Dillon, and Brie (Lea), Matthew (Emily Giarratano), Paul, Kathryn and Timothy Flanagan.
Visitation will be held from 5 pm to 7 pm on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High St, Newton, NJ. Funeral Services will be held at 10 am on Friday, February 2, 2024, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ellen’s memory to the United Methodist Communities Foundation, https://umcommunities.org/foundation/, Habitat for Humanity International, 322 West Lamar Street, Americus, Georgia 31709 or to Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741.
Online condolences may be offered at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com.
