Traverse City – Sally Newton Ellis, 77, of Traverse City passed away with her family by her side on May 31, 2023, at Munson Medical Center after a valiant battle with cancer.
Sally was born on December 1, 1945, in Ann Arbor to the late Richard and Mary (Henderson) Sinn. On July 24, 1965, Sally married David Robert Ellis in Ann Arbor, and the two shared a happy and fulfilling life together with many wonderful experiences over their almost 58 years together.
Sally was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a homemaker until her three children were all in school full time. At that time, she became the office manager of David's dental practice in Traverse City, where she worked until the pair retired together. Dave and Sally raised their family in the Chum's Corners area on a farm, raising asparagus, horses, and turkeys. Sally managed the crew harvesting asparagus and organized the sale of it to both local grocery stores and from the farm. Her interest in cooking was boundless. She delighted in trying new recipes and cooking techniques. When her children were young, she canned much of the fruit and vegetables she served and made all of the family's jams and jellies from scratch. She continued to make homemade bread until the time of her passing.
Sally was also a gifted seamstress. She made clothing for herself and for her children, including elaborate prom dresses for her daughter, and dresses she wore to her children's weddings. She loved to knit, making sweaters, hats, and blankets for her grandchildren. After retirement, she focused her creativity on quilting. She made many dear friends in fabric and quilting shops over the years, where she loved to spend time socializing and working on one of her projects. Her friends and family have been the blessed recipients of her quilted art, from bed quilts to wall hangings, and placemats to stuffed toys. Her heart was always on her family, and she left behind several unfinished projects that were being lovingly created with future great grandchildren in mind.
Sally and David were faithful members of The Church of the Living God for many years, where they enjoyed playing an active role in Home Fellowship and church leadership. Sally was known for regularly entertaining a full dining room table of both her family and friends from her church community. Her faith was strong, and her life illustrated her dedication to her beliefs and her generous heart. In recent years, the couple attended West Side Community Church in Traverse City, and the First Assembly of God in Ft. Myers, Florida.
Sally and David loved to travel. They visited many places including Australia, New Zealand, and Belize, and spent many happy summer weeks in Labrador in northern Canada. After retirement, the pair toured as much of the United States as they could, traveling in a fifth wheel they called home during the winter months for several years. Eventually, they landed in Bokeelia, on Pine Island, Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. They have spent the past 15 years dividing time between Lake Ann, Michigan and their Florida home.
Sally is survived by her husband David; their children Tamara (Daniel) Casciano, Matthew (Kristin) Ellis, and Jonathan (Lisa) Ellis; grandchildren Olivia (Evan) Wegener, Benjamin Casciano, Jacob Casciano, Sheridan (FuXin) Keller, Julia Ellis, Abigail Ellis and Jackson Ellis; great-grandson Daniel Wegener, and her sister Marty (John) Catalano. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Carol (Erik) Serr.
A memorial service celebrating Sally's life will be held later in the summer. Memorial contributions in her honor may be directed to the Cowell Family Cancer Center in Traverse City.
Please share your memories and condolences with Sally's family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .