She was born on January 20, 1935, in Mount Sidney and was the daughter of the late Charles Stewart and Nora Rimel Landes.
Ellen was a lifelong member of the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was employed at Western State Hospital for 35 years before retiring.
On October 16, 1953, she married, Hunter G. Fitzgerald, who preceded her in death on November 3, 2003.
She is survived by her daughters, Amy Brown (Tom) of Waynesboro, Sheila Layman (Jim) of Lyndhurst and Trina Cook (Jeff) of Verona; her grandchildren, Sarah Mays, Matt Layman (Debbie), Leslie Tate (Graham), Jill Henderson (Travis) and Nick Cook (Kierstin); her great grandchildren, Rachel Layman, Brooke Layman, Tanner Layman, Elizabeth Layman, Tommy Mays, IV, Virginia Bell, Mary Hunter Tate, Winnie Tate, Drew Ellen Henderson and Bode Henderson.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a great grandson, Taylor Alexander Layman; a sister, Janet Campbell, two brothers, Lesley and Frankie Landes; and a grandson-in-law, Tommy Mays, III.
A funeral service will be held 2 pm, Monday, December 9, 2024, at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mt. Sidney, Virginia, with Pastor Derek Boggs officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends following the burial at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, P. O. Box 38, Mt. Sidney, VA 24467 or Verona Community Food Pantry, P. O. Box 187, Verona, VA 24482.
The family would like to express sincere thanks to nurse Makayla and Chaplain Larry with Gentiva Hospice for their tender loving care.
Lindsey Funeral Home in Weyers Cave will be handling arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyfuneralhomes.com.
