Eleanor “Ellie” Marie Mitchell, age 85, of Oceanport, passed away Nov. 7, 2024. She was born in Newark to William and Emily Spreen.
Ellie grew up on Rector Street with her brother Billie and sister Carol. They enjoyed many summers together selling vegetables from their organic vegetable garden. At age 5, Ellie was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at a time when polio was taking the lives of many children. She was a fighter and overcame her symptoms. At age 6, while playing with some friends blowing bubbles, a wire went into her right eye. After multiple surgeries and infection, she lost her right eye on her 7th birthday. She would tell stories of being in the hospital as a little girl and helping to feed sick babies and having to get multiple shots of penicillin which ultimately saved her life. Clearly, her compassion and strength started at an early age.
Ellie attended Bregaugh Elementary School and Weequahic High School prior to moving to Fair Haven in 1955. While living in Fair Haven, Ellie graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven High School. She worked as a bookkeeper for the Willowbrook Inn, the restaurant her parents owned in Fair Haven. She also helped serve during banquets and Clam Bakes. She took great pride in working in the family business and loved to reminisce about her experiences there.
After high school, she began working for George Blair at Hospital Picture Services in Red Bank. She worked for him for several years while maintaining the books for the Willowbrook Inn. Ellie would continue to work as a bookkeeper for several small local businesses up until her death. While working at the Willowbrook Inn she met Robert Mitchell, whom she married. They had two children, Michelle Ann Mitchell and Diane Marie Mitchell Savastano. Robert passed away in 2021 after 54 years of marriage. He would tell everyone Ellie was the greatest thing that ever happened to him. He showed that through his actions until the day he passed through random cards, love notes and his signature Whitman’s box of candy. They shared many memories together and truly loved each other; the family is comforted knowing they are now reunited.
Michelle has one daughter, Samantha, who has a daughter Eleanora with Matthew. Diane is married to Joe. They have two daughters, Arielle and Aurora. Arielle is married to Daniel; they have two boys, Finn and Liam. Aurora is engaged to Carly.
Ellie is survived by two younger siblings, William Spreen Jr. and Carol Dunkin, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Ellie loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed playing with them, buying them clothes and taking care of them. Nothing made her happier than shopping for others. She loved to give gifts – Christmas and birthdays were her favorite times of the year. She loved to make it special for each person.
Ellie loved dogs, too, taking time each day to spend with them; she was particularly fond of Tegan. She would spend an hour petting him every morning while she ate breakfast. He misses her so much.
Ellie loved roses, which is evident by the amount of them planted in the garden. Robert would bring her fresh flowers from the garden every day and place them on the windowsill for her. The family’s favorite memory is getting Ellie on a plane for the first time and taking her to Disney. All the wonderful memories made during that trip will be forever in their hearts.
Ellie had one of the most giving hearts. She was always there, always lending a hand, always offering advice, always there to listen. She was strong, stubborn and kind. The family is forever grateful for the love she gave us as a mother, a sister, a grandmother and a great-grandmother.
Visitation and a service were held Nov. 13 at John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank.
The article originally appeared in the November 14 – 20, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
