MILFORD - Ellen S. McMillan, age 86, of Milford, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010. Ellen was a graduate of Goldey-Beacom College. As a young woman, she worked for the Federal Government in Washington, DC. She later returned to Delaware where she was employed by the DuPont Company. She also taught dance at the Arthur Murray Studios. Ellen and her husband, Jerry, were married on Aug. 7, 1954, and lived in Newark until 1989, when they moved to Milford. She was an active member of the Avenue United Methodist Church in Milford, as well as an active member of both the AARP and the Red Hat Society. Ellen loved gardening and was an expert in the cultivation of miniature roses. She wrote a book of family history, "My Favorite Pioneers," that tells the story of her parent's emigration from Germany to the United States. Ellen was very proud to be a first generation American. For Ellen family always came first. She enjoyed family gatherings and looked forward to visits from her daughter's family, as well as relatives and friends. Ellen is dearly missed by her husband, Gerald; daughter, Joanne M. Reinbold and husband, Carl; and grandson, Justin Dortwegt of Wilmington; her brother, Charles Stein and his wife, Mary, of Nanticoke; and three nieces, Barbara, Janice and Carol. The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at the Milford Center nursing facility and particularly the staff and caregivers at Delaware Hospice, and friends and neighbors for their help and care. A funeral service will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010, in the chapel of Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 NW Front St., Milford. Burial will be at the New London Presbyterian Cemetery in New London, Pa. Instead of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.