Ellen Cole

Ellen Estelle Hugh Cole, of Townsend, DE, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2025, due to complications from limited scleroderma.
Born in Wilmington, DE, on August 23, 1964, Ellen grew up in Odessa and Townsend and attended school in Middletown. She earned her Diploma in Surveying Studies from Delaware Technical & Community College in 1990, then her Associate's Degree in Civil Engineering Technology in 1993. While in school, she was a member of two National Honor Societies - Phi Theta Kappa and Tau Alpha Pi (for engineering technology).
Upon graduation, Ellen began her career with the State of Delaware in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). During her 20+ years with DNREC, she distinguished herself as one of the few female land surveyors in the state.
Throughout her life, Ellen was endlessly curious and creative. She loved travel, experiencing other cultures, discovering treasures at a yard sale, choosing just the right gift for someone, artfully arranging her photographs, and using her mad skills to design, build, and jerry-rig all sorts of household items. She also celebrated the talents of others, bringing the same ingenuity to her everyday life - especially in the kitchen. Ellen loved deconstructing prepared foods and achieving perfection with her trusty toaster oven.
A proud lifelong resident of MOT, Ellen always appreciated where she came from and forged strong relationships with her neighbors. Those same neighbors selflessly assisted in everyday activities as symptoms of her CREST syndrome became more painful and debilitating. Her family is very grateful for their support and kindness.
Ellen was predeceased by her partner Greg Rhodes in 2021 and by several cherished family members - her grandfather Tong D. Hugh; her grandmother Kathryn W. Johnson; her aunt Susan Johnson; her uncles Gilbert Hugh, Manchiu Lay, Arthur Hugh, Eugene Hugh, and Robert Hugh; and her cousins Edwin Lay and Olivia Hugh.
She is survived by her parents Janet and Alfred Grimminger and Richard and Leny Hugh; her siblings George Hugh (Ann), Rick Grimminger, Maylene Hugh (Mike), Donna Carroll (Eric), and Jennifer Hugh (Eric); her nephews and niece Gregory Grimminger (Elizabeth), Justin Grimminger (Samantha), Leanna Carroll, and Jason Hugh; and her great-niece and nephews Amelia, Harvey, and Hunter (born on her birthday!).
She also leaves behind her beloved aunts, uncle, and cousins; her former husband Francis Cole, her former sister-in-law Marie Grimminger, and her rehomed kitties.
A celebration of Ellen's life will be held on Saturday, November 1, at Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home (212 N. Broad Street, Middletown, DE 19709). Visitation starts at 1pm, followed by a service at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Ellen's memory to the Food Bank of Delaware, the National Scleroderma Foundation, or the Scleroderma Research Foundation.