Ellen M. Ogilvie (Hanlon)

Ellen M. Ogilvie (Hanlon), 83, died April 11 at her home in Marion, MA. She was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” F. Ogilvie in 2004.

Ellen was born in 1934 to Joseph and Catherine Hanlon in Brooklyn, NY.  She was an only child and enjoyed the friendship of many cousins.

With her strong interest in education of all kinds, Ellen earned a degree in Education from College of Mount St. Vincent. She promptly went to work as a math teacher at Washington Irving High School in New York, NY in 1955.

Ellen took a hiatus from teaching shortly after marrying her husband, Bill, in July 1958. They were married in New York, and enjoyed living and raising their family in many different parts of the country, including New Jersey, Colorado, Ohio and Oklahoma.

As Ellen and her family moved around the United States, she was often “the new kid in town.” Consequently, she developed a knack for establishing friendships such that she and her family always had a supportive network that allowed them all to grow and thrive. Acquaintances from all periods of Ellen’s life fondly recall her as a good friend who consistently made them feel welcome and special.

Ellen was a loving and attentive mother, ready to help her children overcome challenges and embrace opportunities. Her son Joe recalls her as instrumental in helping him conquer dyslexia, as well as being an enthusiastic supporter of his passion for table tennis. As her children grew and left home, Ellen resumed teaching math in Bartlesville, OK and Lorain, OH.

Ellen was an energetic participant in the life of every community in which she lived. She was a champion of education and a strong supporter of women’s rights. She was an active member of American Association of University Women, as well as the League of Women Voters. Always interested in sharpening her mind, she was an avid bridge player and member of multiple book clubs throughout her life.

Ellen is survived by a vast and loving family, including daughter Catherine Ogilvie and her husband Bruce Yarnall, grandchildren Elizabeth Yarnall and Izadora Yarnall of Stonington, CT; son Joseph “Joe” Ogilvie, his wife Fiona Lally-Ogilvie, grandchildren Francesca Lally, John Jude Ogilvie, Liam Ogilvie and Josephine Ogilvie of New Lebanon, NY; son William “Bill” F. Ogilvie, Jr, of Austin, TX; and daughter Margaret Ogilvie Gee and her husband Clark Gee of Marion, MA.

She is also survived by sister-in-law Marguerite Christe, of Juno Beach, FL; and cousins Arthur Baxter, of Warwick, NY; Doris (Baxter) Grzelak, of Colonia, NJ;  and Christopher Kenneth Baxter of Asheville, NC.

A Catholic Mass will be held June 8, at St. Rita’s of Cascia church in Marion, MA. A celebration will follow at the home of her daughter.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable contributions to Friends of Marion Council on Aging (FMCOA) – www.fmcoa.org, or American Association of University Women – AAUW – www.aauw.org

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