Llewellyn "Ellyn" MacConnell

Ellyn MacConnell, age 81, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2025, surrounded by her immediate family, after a courageous two-year battle against leukemia. Born on October 26, 1943, in Medina, NY, to Irene and Al Keller, Ellyn was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend.
Ellyn graduated from Medina High School in 1961 and went on to study opera and elementary education at Potsdam College, where she graduated in 1965. Her love for teaching children defined her career as a kindergarten teacher at Royalton Hartland Central School, where she dedicated 32 years to nurturing young minds. Ellyn's enthusiasm for Broadway musicals shone brightly as she directed high school musicals at Royalton Hartland for many years. She also adapted musicals for her kindergarten classes to perform, igniting a passion for the arts in her students.
Ellyn had a talent for baking, particularly during the Christmas season when she made numerous kinds of cookies to share with family and friends. When Greg served as VP of Student Affairs at Niagara County Community College, she generously baked cookies for over 10 departments.
In 2004, Ellyn and her husband Greg moved to Austin, Texas, to be closer to their grandchildren,
Noah and Olivia Henshaw. She relished her time taking them to swimming lessons, playing at the park and taking them on wagon rides. Ellyn was their biggest cheerleader, supporting them in sports, fencing lessons, and ballet performances in the Nutcracker at the Houston Ballet.
Ellyn's creativity extended to renovating a 1952 family cottage on Lake Ontario in Barker, NY. She loved to tend to her gardens and prized hydrangeas. In Austin, she led a committee in the HOA to decorate the community entrances at Christmas with lights, garlands and ribbons, always encouraging volunteers with freshly baked cookies.
Ellyn's daughters, Melissa Henshaw and Katie Lisiecki, were her pride and joy. She believed in their potential and encouraged them to achieve success through hard work and determination. Ellyn was married to her loving husband, Greg, for 42 years, together building a foundation for a successful and happy life.
Ellyn is survived by husband Greg MacConnell, her daughters, Melissa Henshaw of Alexandria, Virginia, and Katie Lisiecki of Lockport, New York and her grandchildren, Noah Henshaw of Arlington, Virginia, Olivia Henshaw of Alexandria, VA, and sister in-laws Claudia Frisch and Marcia Davidson, and brother in-law Lloyd Davidson and nieces, nephews and cousins.
She is predeceased by her mother, Irene White, her father Al Keller, and stepfather Roland White brother Wayne Keller, sister-in-law Sandra Keller and brother in-law Lynn Frisch.
Ellyn MacConnell's legacy will be cherished by her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched. Her warmth, kindness, and unwavering support will be dearly missed.
A visitation will be held 5:00PM-7:00PM Wednesday March 12th at Harrell Funeral home with a prayer service begining at 7:00PM. Family will also be having services in Ellyn's home town of Medina, NY.