Ellen Mary Colello

Ellen Mary Colello (nèe Maginn)

October 12, 1923-September 19, 2021

Ellen Mary Colello slipped peacefully into eternity on September 19th and while she was officially older than sliced bread, she acted young until the end.

As the daughter of immigrants, Ellen was Irish to her core, dutifully dancing all the Irish dances with her sister as a child.  Her soft brown hair and sparkling blue eyes made her the very picture of an Irish lass!

Part of the Greatest Generation, Ellen did her part as an air raid warden in Queens, NY.  She would often have to wrestle her helmet on over her curlers in the middle of the night before venturing out to make sure everyone was safe.  Ellen also worked at CBS in New York City during the golden age of radio.  She would often meet the greats.

Ellen remained as lovely in her later years as she was when she was being scouted by modeling agencies in NYC.  She never dyed her hair and was only slightly salt and pepper when she passed, something the women in the family wish she had passed on to them!

A well known card shark, Ellen played (and won!) card games all her life.  One of Ellen’s super powers was she could simultaneously watch the Golden Girls, eat a brownie with a cup of tea in her John Wayne mug, and beat the pants off of her opponents, especially UNO.

Ellen met the love of her life, the Italian stallion, Salvatore, at a “Dime a Dance.” First came love.  Then came marriage in 1950. Then, four babies…three girls and a little prince.  Ellen is survived by her daughter, Kathy and her husband, Chuck Pollak; her daughter Ellen and her husband Walter Godzieba; her daughter Trish and her husband, Jay Austin; and her son, Michael and his wife Marie.  Ellen leaves behind a whole host of grandchildren and great grandchildren who will miss her intensely.  She also leaves behind her little brother, Bill Maginn, and sister in law, Joan Colello.  We are sure Ellen was greeted in heaven by her loving husband, Sal, her sister, Theresa, her brother Connie, and parents, William and Ellen Maginn.

A celebration of Ellen’s life will be held on Long Island and she will be buried with her love at Calverton National Cemetery.

• In Lieu of Flowers Please Make a Donation To Your Favorite Charity In Memory Of Ellen Mary Colello