Beloved mother, Nana, sister, and aunt, Ellen Hughes, 81, passed away on June 18, 2025.
She was the oldest of three daughters born in Hollidaysburg, PA to Victor Leroy and Mary Kathryn “Kate” Mulch Swenson. Ellen graduated from Marywood College in 1966 and taught high school French before her sons, Brian and Kevin, were born, with the family settling in Downingtown, PA. She was actively involved in Brian and Kevin’s activities including Boy Scouts, baseball, football, and soccer, and volunteered with numerous community organizations and elections boards. As a grandmother, Nana Ellen was a fixture at baseball games and dance recitals.
Ellen’s lifelong love of education led her to volunteering in museums in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and California. After a brief stint living in central California, where she worked at Heritage Square museum and for Bakersfield College, she returned to the east coast in 1996 to work at Winterthur Museum, Garden, & Library in Delaware, where she previously volunteered. Ellen held multiple roles in her 20+ years at Winterthur, including Volunteer Manager, Visitor Services Manager, and Manager of Museum, Gallery, and Estate Tours. Ellen retired from Winterthur in 2019 and worked as the Executive Director of the Delaware Chapter of People to People International before relocating to Williamsburg in 2021.
Ellen is survived by her sons and grandchildren, Brian (Lisa) of Downingtown, PA, and their daughter Brianna (Cole Strange), and Kevin (Amy) of Williamsburg, VA and their children Sean (Carly Middleton) and Erin. She is also survived by her sisters, Kathryn (Irven) Miller of West Long Branch, NJ, and Victoria (Randy) Imler of Martinsburg, PA, as well as her nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
In Ellen’s memory, please consider making a donation to Winterthur Museum, or c/o Development Office, 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735, or the charity of your choice.
