Ellen McMahon

Ellen was born on August 30, 1939 in The Bronx, New York to Edna and Charles Howard. She grew up in a large, close-knit family with her siblings Richard, Elizabeth and Robert. After her father passed away in 1955, the family moved to Queens, New York. At that time, Ellen withdrew from high school and went to work to help support her family. She never returned to finish her primary education but went on to complete secretarial course work at the Drake Business School and graduated in 1957 at the age of 18. Although her father’s passing left an indelible mark on her life, it defined who she would become as an adult, a strong and courageous woman.

One evening in 1960, she met Jack McMahon at a dance in Brewster, New York, and after a long distance romance, they married on August 5, 1961 in College Point, NY at St. Fidelis Church. Saying good-bye to family and friends, the newlyweds started their life together on a cross-country honeymoon which ultimately took them to Hollywood, California. In 1964 Alison (James Merriam) made them a family, and in 1967 Nina (Gregory Krull) completed their family. Married for 63 years, Jack and Ellen enjoyed the California lifestyle, soaking up the sun year round in Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and Palos Verdes. They ultimately planted themselves in San Pedro and lived there for 40 years.

When Nina first moved to New York and then New Jersey, Jack and Ellen became bicoastal parents/grandparents. After Alison followed Nina to North Carolina in 2006, not much time passed before they bought a second home in NC and spent many years traveling back and forth to spend time with their grandchildren, Sarah Rose and Kathryn Anne Krull, and Anabel Journeau and James Patrick Merriam. Nothing gave Ellen greater joy. From the moment Sarah Rose was born in late 2000, Ellen had a renewed purpose in life, and she truly became her best self. Her grandchildren brought out her best qualities: Generosity, strength, selflessness, silliness, and her deep love for family. She was so proud of them and cherished every moment she spent with them.

Ellen’s strong understanding of business administration and her talent for typing, stenography and organizational business management helped steer her professional career. As a highly sought after Executive Secretary, her 45+ year career included time spent in investment management, the airline industry, and manufacturing. Her greatest career achievement and most rewarding opportunity came throughout the 1980s while working for a private Learjet company based out of Los Angeles, California.

During this time, she ran the day-to-day operations, and business and personal matters of the business owner, Brooke Knapp. During this time Ellen traveled the world by private learjets and stayed at five-star hotels. Traveling with Brooke was like traveling with her best friend, and Ellen thrived during this time.

After retiring in the late 1990s, she and Jack settled into a lovely life of traveling, remodeling their home, and spending time with friends and family. They loved having friends over for cocktails on the patio and planning their next travel destinations.

After many years of unexplained illness in the late 60s and early 70s, Ellen was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Even though little was known of the disease at the time, she faced the illness with bravery and strength and throughout the years remained diligent in her fight to be there for her family. Luckily, Ellen experienced remission for 25 years and during this time she remained positive and focused on what brought her joy – her family, her work, her faith, and living life to the fullest. Her courage was an inspiration to all who knew her, and she will be deeply missed.

A funeral mass will be held on August 26, 2024 at St. Leo’s Catholic Church at 11:00am in Winston Salem, NC. Ellen will be buried at Vogler Forsyth Memorial Park. We invite you to celebrate Ellen’s life with us following mass in the gathering space at Vogler Forsyth Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Ellen’s name to:

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation: https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/?form=FUNBLYUCMRF,

Colon Cancer Foundation: https://coloncancerfoundation.org/?form=FUNBVKSVWNV&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjww5u2BhDeARIsALBuLnM_0Kzj9SW-D9Q2x3J-IcP1zcxIKOPA-7u2tQ48ElT6EL-hzk1fOYaAtHfEALw_wcB

Trellis Supportive Hospice Care: https://www.trellissupport.org/content/ways-give