Eleanor (Ellie) Robie Cavanaugh

Eleanor (Ellie) Robie Cavanaugh, 95, peacefully passed away on Monday, May 9, 2022, surrounded by her family.  Ellie, a resident of Cumberland Crossings, Carlisle, PA and a former resident of Haddon Heights, NJ, will be remembered for her strong love of family, her many accomplishments, her unique sense of humor and so many funny ‘Ellie stories’.

Our dear matriarch (Ellie, Mom, Grandmom, GG, Aunt Eleanor) has passed away. After nearly 96 years of a very full and satisfying life, it was her time to join Bill/Dad/Grandad again. We all love her dearly. We will love and miss her forever. We will tell ‘Ellie stories’ for the rest of our lives.

Ellie was the center of our family life, and her family meant the world to her. It is how she described herself “I have 4 married children, 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, so far”. She was always eagerly awaiting news of an upcoming wedding, a new baby ‘s arrival or an important accomplishment or event.

Ellie was born on November 30, 1926, in Collingswood, NJ. She graduated from Collingswood HS.  Ellie was an accomplished athlete / swimmer who was inducted into the Collingswood HS Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ellie graduated from the University of Delaware as a Home Economics major. She had a wonderful time as a co-ed at the University of Delaware, where she met and fell in love with Bill, when the soldiers returned from WWII.

On September 16, 1950, she married her sweetheart, Bill Cavanaugh. Together they dreamed of having a large family. They realized that dream together.

Ellie was a first grade, then second grade teacher at the Haviland Avenue Elementary School in Audubon, NJ for 25 years. She was friendly with everyone, highly regarded and fondly remembered for her science projects, particularly hatching dozens of chickens, and occasionally ducks, each spring.

The South Jersey Shore was her Happy Place. As soon as the school year ended, away we would go to The Shore for the summer. Ellie was a wonderful wave rider, both body surfing and on her raft. Even in her later years, she would ride the waves with her grandchildren.

Ellie and Bill LOVED camping and RV’ing. Upon retiring, together they traveled all over North America and spent time in both Alaska and Mexico. Of course, Bill would drive the rig and Ellie would sleep on those long hauls. They made so many friends along the way and kept in close touch with their Teton RV Rally friends.

As a family, we lived on First Avenue in Haddon Heights, NJ. Ellie had a large vegetable garden in her back yard. She prided herself in big, beautiful Jersey tomatoes, string beans and squash. In addition, Ellie was passionate about all of nature, animals, DARK CHOCOLATE, ice cream (chocolate of course) and ‘my wine’. “Oh, I only had one glass!”

Ellie was predeceased by her loving husband of 64 years, Bill. She is survived by their cherished 4 children: Lynne (Joe) Young of Bluffton, SC, Jan (Joel) Feidelman of Longboat Key, FL, Jim (Diane Talarico) Cavanaugh of Charlottesville, VA, and Nancy (Eric) Pfisterer of Camp Hill, PA.

Her 9 adored grandchildren: Brett Young (Amanda), Jared Young (Sarah), Jamie Cavanaugh (Jill DeNinno), Kali Cavanaugh-Smith (Kirk), Molly Cavanaugh (Ryan Lewis), Leigh Anne Scanzera (Alex), Craig Pfisterer, Ricky Pfisterer (Cheneá) and Brooke Pfisterer.

And 7 wonderful great grandchildren (with one more on the way): Peyton Low, Kendall Young, Brock Young, Liam Scanzera, Lucas Scanzera, Relavé Pfisterer, and Brynlee Pfisterer.

A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 21, in the Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA.  Ellie will once again be side by side with Bill, “like bookends” as they described each other in their later years - holding each other up.

 Contributions in Ellie’s memory may be made to Cumberland Crossings Retirement Community, 1 Longsdorf Way, Carlisle, PA 17015, The family deeply appreciates their wonderful care of Ellie.                                                           

Arrangements are being handled by the Hollinger Funeral Home & Crematory, Mt. Holly Springs, PA. Visit www.HollingerFuneralHome.com to offer condolences to the family.