Ellen Foote Fitzgerald, age 96, departed this life on March 19, 2017 at Harrison House Nursing Home in Snow Hill, Md.
Born in Baltimore on March 28, 1920, she was the oldest daughter of the late Reverend Jesse Henry Ruark and Nancy Curtis Ruark.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Lee Ross Foote, and by her second husband, John Howard Fitzgerald, two sisters, Myrtle Martin, and Dorothy Ruark and two foster daughters, Shirley Culbertson Outten and Mary Ann Wainwright.
She is survived by her devoted daughter, Linda Foote King of Snow Hill, Md., beloved granddaughter, Melissa Ellen Vinaya, of Arlington, Va., two sisters, Jane Guest, of White Marsh, Md., and Leza Cavey (Lloyd) of Colora, Md., four nieces and two nephews. She is also survived by many other cherished extended family members and friends.
Educated in Baltimore, she was employed at Bethlehem Steel Company as a secretary where she met and married Lee Ross Foote. They moved to the Eastern Shore and enjoyed the country life. She was active in The Christ United Methodist Church as a Sunday school teacher and also became a 4-H leader.
Ellen was a teller for the Bank of Somerset for many years and also a case manager at the Somerset County Dept. of Social Services, retiring in 1983.
Ellen served as President of the Business and Professional Women's Club and was also voted as the club's Woman of the year. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Somerset County Civic Center and Somerset County Economic Development Commission. Other memberships included Somerset County Historical Society and the Garden Club.
She was a faithful member of the Church of God – Walker Memorial in Princess Anne, Md. After retiring, she enjoyed her pets, writing poetry, flower arranging and spending time with her family.
A funeral service is planned for 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Hinman Funeral Home, 11673 Somerset Ave. in Princess Anne, Md. where friends may call one hour prior to the service. Reverend Tim Shawyer will officiate. Interment will be in Beechwood Cemetery in Princess Anne.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Church of God- Walker Memorial, Benevolence Fund, P.O. Box 189, Princess Anne, Md. 21853