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Ellen McGibben Obituary
Nov. 13, 1951 - June 16, 2019
Resident of Corralitos
Our beloved Ellen passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Santa Clara on June 16, 2019. She leaves behind sons Seth, Brad and Ryan, grandchildren Joseph, Timothy and Milagro, brothers Timothy and John, and many other relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her son Dennis, known as "DJ."
Ellen was born on November 13, 1951 in Oakland, to John Minahan of Seattle, Washington, and Jane Ann Minahan née Leary of Fort Dodge, Iowa. She grew up on the Peninsula, spending many childhood summers in Fort Dodge. Ellen was a member of the class of 1969 at Mercy High School in Burlingame, where she was a cheerleader, newspaper editor and student council member. She is warmly remembered by her Mercy classmates as a very popular student.
Over the last forty years, Ellen lived in Corralitos, California, where she raised her sons. A registered nurse since 1983, she was among the first hospice nurses in Santa Cruz County, developing a support group program for significant others and caregivers of terminally ill patients at Watsonville Community and Dominican Hospitals. Ellen founded a real estate brokerage in 2005. She also worked as an adjunct clinical nursing instructor with Cabrillo College for the past four years.
All who knew Ellen will remember her independence, intelligence, compassion, courage and sense of fun. She saw everyone she met as their best self. Ellen enjoyed baking, gardening, painting and attending San Francisco Giants games. She loved doting on her three grandchildren, and a Coca Cola with perfectly crushed ice.
A Visitation and Rosary are scheduled at Crosby N. Gray & Co. at 2 Park Rd. in Burlingame on July 2, 2019 at 11 A.M. and Noon, respectively, followed by an Interment service at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma, Ca., 1500 Old Mission Rd.
A Memorial Mass for Ellen will be held in Santa Cruz County at 11 A.M. on July 12, 2019, at Holy Eucharist Catholic Community Church in Corralitos, California.
View the online memorial for Ellen Michaela McGibben
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Memories and Condolences
for Ellen McGibben
Sponsored by santacruzsentinel.com.
July 22, 2019
My sister in law for 20 plus years. You were kind, loving and always had a smile. You will be missed. Ann Minahan
Megan McDow
July 3, 2019
I went to Aptos High with Ellen's son's Brad and Seth. So sorry to hear this news. My condolences to the family.
Jodi Conneely
July 2, 2019
Ellen-
We feel blessed to have known you and always enjoyed our time with you. You were an amazing woman and overcame so much in your life and your courage and strength has been a true inspiration. You will truly be missed but deserve to finally be at peace.
All Our Love, Matt And Jodi Conneely
Pat McGlennon
July 2, 2019
Ellen was a strong person who always was positive and feisty around me no matter what problems she was dealing with. Just a positive person. Ellen will be missed.
Kristin (Schweitzer) Bright
July 2, 2019
My sympathies on Ellen's passing and prayers for healing to the family.
-Kristin (Schweitzer) Bright
Bryan and Berbel Conneely
July 2, 2019
Ellen was a wonderful kindhearted person. We're so thankful to have known her and will cherish the memories. All our love and prayers from our family.
Dennis McGibben
July 2, 2019
For all of us that grieve Ellen's early and untimely death, we will always remember her strength,compassion, and love of family. We are all lucky to have had Ellen in our lives. Ellen had many great accomplishments in her short time here. I know her proudest is the raising of our three sons. I know she heard these five words , YES ELLEN THIS IS HEAVEN . I will miss her
Dennis
Charlotte Minahan
July 1, 2019
Ollie - Always as a sister- from childhood to adults! You are in my spirit and I am so glad for all the wonderful times we had together. I have and will always feel you in my heart, sister.
Love Muffin
Ellen, <br />It was wonderful to have known you and been able to share many family memories together.<br />Love, Evelyn Morales
July 1, 2019
Jordan Conneely
June 30, 2019
Ellen, you were always very good to me. You will be missed. Thanks for everything you've done. Love all the Conneely nieces and nephews.
Laura and Bill Fulton
June 29, 2019
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand. You and your family are in our thoughts and we lift up your pain in prayer and ask for blessings.
Janet
June 29, 2019
To my dearest friend and only sister I've ever had. We lived, we loved and shared every part of our lives together. My heart aches but I know you are with your sweet DJ. You will be so missed. I love you my sweet Ellen. Love Janet.
Tim Minahan
June 28, 2019
Ellen was a very humble person who accomplished a lot in her life despite enduring many tragic events. She always found a way to have the courage to stand up and move forward achieving many positive results. She certainly would like you to be there next week however would be the first to understand if you can't make it. So please take that into consideration and say a prayer for her. I'm quite sure she is very happy now being with DJ after all these years missing him.
Barbara Johnson
June 26, 2019
My sincere condolences.
June 25, 2019
Ellen,
Dearest friend, finest person, most wonderful mother.
Love, Jackie
June 25, 2019
The best friend, finest person,
We are all better to have you in our lives,
Love to Seth, Brad, Ryan, Joseph, Timmy and Mia,
Jackie
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