Nancy Debra Ellis

Nancy Debra Ellis, 74, passed away on October 8, 2022. She was the loving daughter of Dorothy Ellis (nee Beilin) and Alick Ellis, who predeceased her. She is survived by her loving relatives. The family is grateful to Nancy’s childhood friend, Michael Birchwale, and his wife, Lucinda, for their kindness and generosity in helping to look after Nancy in her later years. Appreciation is also extended to Nancy’s longtime caregivers, Mercedes Mercado and Anna Escobar. They provided care with dignity to Nancy for many years often going above and beyond their roles.

Nancy lived nearly all her life in Ridgefield, NJ. She graduated from Ridgefield High School. Nancy studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology and graduated from Columbia University with a major in art history. Nancy was a trustee of the Ridgefield Public Library for many years. She worked as a research librarian at Standard and Poor’s and preserving rare manuscripts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and New York University.

Nancy was the family historian informed by the many anecdotes she heard seated around the dining room table with her grandmother, aunts, and uncles. Any cousin looking to trace the family’s ancestry and immigration story could turn to Nancy for answers. Nancy took several trips to England, Scotland, and Ireland. She was a voracious reader of mystery novels which filled many shelves of her home. Nancy enjoyed a good sense of humor which she inherited from her parents. Nancy loved art, especially paintings by Fredrick Turner. She was a member of the Art Students League in New York City where she took painting classes. Nancy’s preferred medium was watercolors and she produced several works.

A graveside service will be held at Cedar Park Cemetery in Paramus on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 11:00 am. Please consider making a donation in Nancy’s memory to Friends of the Ridgefield Library Inc. 527 Morse Avenue, Ridgefield, New Jersey 07657.

Those attending the service should meet 10:30 am outside to the right of the cemetery's office where the hearse is parked.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.guttermanandmusicant.com for the ELLIS family.