Ellen C. Fredericks

Ellen C Fredericks (Williams) died peacefully on December 2 in Warren NJ. Ellen was born and lived in Allentown PA and graduated from Allentown High School.

After high school, she married her childhood sweetheart, Francis Wagner, who passed away early in their marriage. She later found love again and married Michael Fredericks. They moved to Red Bank NJ and had a daughter, Ellen.

Ellen, known as "Big Ellen", to her family and friends, managed a dry-cleaning store in Lincroft NJ where she had flexible hours which allowed her to be with her daughter aka "Little Ellen", before and after school. She also put her expert sewing skills to use as a tailor. After retirement, she worked part time as a hostess/cashier at Howard Johnsons Restaurant in Middletown NJ where many good times were shared with her friends and Pappas family.

Ellen lived life joyfully and independently. She treasured her feline companions - Misty, Kitty and Gypsy. Her regular pastimes were spending time with family and friends, helping her neighbors, sewing, antiquing, doing jigsaw puzzles and playing bingo and card games. Friends described her as kind, funny, loyal, generous, fun and feisty. Neighbors and friends remembered her organizing breakfast and lunch outings ("anyone up for clams and a beer?"), making special requested food dishes, and being at the ready to drive them to appointments, grocery store, church, mall and the casino. Despite her limited eyesight, she retained her positive outlook and sense of humor, never missing a party, outing to the casino or a bingo game. She was often first on the dance floor and the last to leave a party. She was a wonderful and loving mother, mother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and friend.

During her later years, she was cared for by many wonderful caregivers, most notably two special angels, Angelina and Reberta.

She is survived by her daughter, Ellen Fredericks and beloved son-in-law Tom Kukla. Survivors include her nephew-in-law Kevin Derhammer, her adored great-niece Megan Karasiewicz (Bob) and great-great nieces and nephew Abigail, Cassidy and Luke. She cherished her extended family and created a loving bond with Kerry and Ashley Woolf and Owen and Olivia Francis. She maintained a special relationship with the Wagner family.

Big Ellen started reading aloud to her daughter when she was a baby. She made weekly trips to the library a regular mother/daughter outing throughout little Ellen's childhood years which encouraged her daughter's lifelong love of books, passion for reading, and involvement in the not-for-profit, LitWorld. Donations in her memory may be made to LitWorld at www.litworld.org

Per her request, services were private. To honor her memory, please read aloud to yourself or someone special.