Ellen Startt Sanger

1944 - 2025

It is with great sadness, that we announce the passing of Ellen Startt Sanger on October 20, 2025, at her home in Rehoboth Beach, DE. She was 80 years old. Ellen was born on October 29, 1944, in Easton, Maryland, to the late Robert Kenly and Anne Jesse (Saathoff) Startt. She graduated from St. Peter & Paul High School in Easton, Maryland, in 1962, attended Goldey Beacom School of Business in Wilmington, Delaware, and received a Letter of Recognition in Music Performance from Chesapeake College. Ellen married William Maurice Sanger on October 4, 1964. They moved to Federalsburg, MD and later to Kent Island, MD, where they raised their family. Ellen supported Maurice in their Western Auto Store business. She was active in St. Christopher's Catholic Church Chester MD, singing in the choir, and teaching Sunday school. Ellen also served as Girl Scout Leader and sang with The Queen Anne's Chorale for many years. In 2017, Maurice and Ellen retired to Rehoboth Beach, DE, a location Ellen had cherished since her early childhood. During her time there, she became a member of St. Edmunds Catholic Church and enjoyed spending time at the beach with her children and grandchildren. Her interests included sewing, designing garments for her children, gardening, and traveling. She particularly valued her annual trips to Aruba with family and friends. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Sanger is survived by her 6 children, William Jeffery Sanger (Carol); Elizabeth Sanger Scipione (Richard); Marie Annette Sanger; Kathleen Michelle Morgan; Lisa Sanger Lynch; Stephanie Ellen Downey (Christopher); 7 grandchildren, Nicole Bilbrough (Sean); Alison Sanger (Haleigh); Kathleen Sanger; Miles Campbell; Simon Downey; Claire Downey; Madison Downey; 3 great grandchildren, John Bilbrough; Caroline Bilbrough; and Henry Bilbrough; 2 brothers, Thomas Lee Startt(Bonnie); and Patrick Glenn Startt. She was predeceased by her grandson, William Nathan Gardner; son-in-law John B. Lynch, III; sister Kathleen Marie Startt and brother Robert Kenly Startt, Jr. A viewing will be held at the Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, Centreville, on Thursday October 23rd, from 4 to 6 pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church on Friday October 24th at 11:00 am. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in Ellen's name to: Our Mother of Sorrows / St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church St. Peter's Restoration Fund, 303 Chesterfield Ave, Centreville, MD 21617