BRIDGEVILLE - Ellen Ann Vanderwende passed away on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. She was born at home near Vernon, Del. on May 17, 1935 to the late Helen Mae (Baker) and Jesse C. Draper. She was a loving farmer's wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. Family meant everything to her and most Sundays they gathered in her kitchen for Sunday dinner. She was the grandmother everyone wanted to have, being known as Mom Mom Ann to more than her own, as Aunt Ann, and Miss Ellie. You never left her home hungry, as she was a wonderful cook. Her apple pies and apple dumplings were the best around.
Ellen served for over 45 years as a volunteer leader of the Dublin Hill 4-H Club. She was selected to the Delaware 4-H Hall of Fame in 2014. She was also a member of the Bridgeville Fire Company Auxiliary for over 33 years and served as secretary of her Sunday School class at the Lifeway Church of God. In March, 2017 she was awarded the Hixson Award by the Bridgeville Kiwanis Club for her service to the club and her local community. Ellen enjoyed her years spent with her colleagues in the office of Doctors Mark and Edwina Granada.
Ellen Ann attended Harrington School and is survived by her high school sweetheart and husband of over 66 years, William Vanderwende. She is also survived by three sons, a daughter and their spouses, Daniel and Becky; Douglas and Debbie; and James and Donna Vanderwende; and Carla Ann and Garry Killmon, all residing within three miles of the home farm. Ellen was blessed with ten grandchildren, Breck William (Pam), Jesse (Taylor), Cody (Morgan) and Will Vanderwende, Danna (Shane) Carter, Christy Ann (Scott) Wright, Dusti (John) Small, Amber (John) Campbell, Wendee Ann (Tommy) Bull and Bethany Mae Killmon (Ian).
The family kept growing and eleven great- grandchildren were blessed to call her Mom-Mom Ann, Alanna, Maci, Brielle Mae, Aydan, Chance, Jack, Aydrian, Draper, Everett, Jeri and Van. In addition, she is survived by a brother-in-law, D. William Simpson and his children David and Lisa Jane; a sister-in-law, Viola Vanderwende Taylor; and a special cousin, Anna Mae Draper. She was pre-deceased by her sister whom she loved dearly, Thelma Jane Simpson.
Viewing will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and services will be held on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lifeway Church of God, 7046 Seashore Highway, Bridgeville, Delaware. Burial will be at Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington, DE.
Many thanks are extended to the administration and staff of the Country Rest Home in Greenwood, Delaware for the loving care which they showed to Ellen during her stay at their facility.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in her memory to: Bridgeville Fire Co. Auxiliary, C/O Pat Correll, Treas., 421 S. Main St. Bridgeville, DE 19933; Delaware 4-H Foundation, 113 Townsend Hall, Newark, DE 19716; or Lifeway Church of God, Attn: Ron Pritchett, 7046 Seashore Highway, Bridgeville, DE 19933
Arrangements in the care of Fleischauer Funeral Home, Greenwood, De.