Ellen R. Gillis, longtime resident of River Hills, Lake Wylie, SC, died at Atrium Health-Pineville on Saturday, November 12th, 2022 from complications stemming from Parkinson’s Disease.

Ellen was born on December 16th, 1941, in Jamaica, NY, the second daughter of Robert A. Ryan and Anna G. (Meyer) Ryan. She was predeceased by her parents, her aunt Dorothy (Meyer) Bello, and husbands Brian Bedell & Robert Gillis.

She is survived by her companion, William J. Madden of Lake Wylie, sister Joanne Nappi of Ft. Myers, FL, niece Jill Morton (Chester) of Montauk, NY, their children Lauren Walsh (James) of Montauk, NY, Ashley Libath (Jay), of East Hampton, NY and Mollie Alamia (Joel) of Southampton, NY, nephew Richard Verity (Susan) of Tulsa, OK, his children Ryan Verity, of Tulsa, OK, Kyle Verity (Kaitlyn), Tulsa, OK, & Alexandra Theissen (Adam) of Edmond, OK. Additional family survivors include Olivia, Mia & James Walsh, Axel & June Libath, Lucy & Winnie Alamia, Cooper & Riley Verity & Sloane and Brooks Theissen.

Ellen will also be greatly missed by her extended family: Stacey Gillis Weber, Jeffrey A. Weber & Perry Weber of New York, NY, and Harrison Weber of Arlington, VA, Raymond Madden, Stacey Madden & Kolbe Madden of Winter Park, FL, Darby Madden of Stillwater, OK, Michael Madden & Linda Krese of Edmonds, WA and Connor Madden of Chicago, IL, as well as special friends Carole & Pat McNamara, Judy Wormington, Kathy & Brooke Gillespie, Judy & Owen Brown, Joyce & Hank Gerald, Patti & John Glaser, Peggy & Bob Hormberg, Hope & Jay Wolf, Martha & Lindley Smith, Mary Rickenbaker, Joann Jeffries, Sandy Shaffer, Pat Gitt & Susan Dixon.

After graduating from Farmingdale State College, Ellen embarked on a career in the television industry working as a regional manager in the affiliate relations departments at CBS Television Network and Corinthian Broadcasting in New York, as well as at RayCom Sports in Charlotte, NC. Following her retirement, she became an avid world traveler and an active member of the River Hills Community. Ellen served on the RHCA Board of Directors, enjoyed playing bridge, her book club, lunches & beach outings with her buddies, River Hills Lions, Clover HS Choraliers concerts, Encore events of all kinds and, of course, the M&M’s martini club. Until illness deprived her of the ability to play, Ellen was a long-time tennis member of River Hills Country Club, particularly relishing her time as a member of the ladies’ tennis team.

A memorial service will be 12:00 p.m. Monday, January 16, 2023 at The Community Church of Lake Wylie, 104 Hamilton's Ferry Rd., Lake Wylie, SC followed by an inurnment in the River Hills/Lake Wylie Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the Church following the inurnment. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Ellen’s name to The Community Church of Lake Wylie, 104 Hamilton’s Ferry Road, Lake Wylie, SC 29710, River Hills Lions Community Foundation, www.rhlwlions.org, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741 www.donations@michaeljfox.org or a charity of your choice.

Details regarding a memorial service will be announced at a later date.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.