Ellen J. Carey Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ellen J. Carey TRAVERSE CITY – Ellen J. Carey, age 79, of Traverse City, MI, passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City in the loving care of her family. Ellen was born to Richard and Frances VanDerherchen, on March 2, 1938 in Detroit, MI. Ellen grew up in the Detroit area and graduated from St. Ambrose High School. After high school, Ellen attended college at Sienna Heights in Adrian, MI where she received her teaching certificate. In 1954, at the age of 16, Ellen met her husband, James J. Carey, and together the two were married just three years later on December 28, 1957. She spent three years teaching at St. Peters Elementary in Harper Woods, MI and then focused on raising her two sons in Grosse Pointe Park. Years later, Ellen and Jim moved to Gaylord, MI where she was a librarian at the county library. In 1980, Ellen and James moved back downstate, and lived most of their time in Berkley where Ellen spent 25 years as a library assistant at William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. Ellen officially retired in 2005, where she enjoyed the things she loved most in life: Detroit Tigers' baseball, gardening flowers, reading historical fiction, a good game of cards with her lady friends “The Crazy Eights", and most of all, spending time with her family and friends. Ellen was a welcoming soul; she had a wonderful sense of humor, and could get along with anyone she met. Everyone loved talking with Ellen. Ellen is survived by her two sons; Chris Carey, Venice, FL, Mike (Melody) Carey, Traverse City, MI and Grandchildren: Matthew, Brianna, Daniel, Steven, Joseph, and great-grandson, Jason. Ellen is also survived by her brother, Robert VanDerherchen, Englewood, FL. She was preceded in death by her husband, James (2016), and parents, Richard and Frances. In lieu of flowers, the Carey family asks that donations be made in Ellen's honor to the American Diabetes Association (website follows.) Ellen struggled with diabetes most of her adult life but never let it define her! http://www.diabetes.org/donate/other-ways-to-give/donate-by-mail.html

Ellen J. Carey

March 2, 1938 - September 27, 2017