Ellen Pusser Carmignani, 78, formerly of Hinsdale, passed away Jan. 4, 2020, surrounded by family.
Ellen was born to Henry and Margie Pusser in 1941 in Chesterfield, S.C.
After graduating from Chesterfield High School (a school so small she served as the bus driver her senior year), Ellen earned a degree from Furman University in Greenville, S.C., where she also met Tony. Married in 1962, she and Tony spent the first several years living around the world while Tony served in the U.S. Army, before finally settling in Hinsdale in the mid-70s to raise their family.
Ellen was very active in the community as a longstanding member of Union Church as well as volunteer for Meals on Wheels, the Ben Fuller Museum Association, Hinsdale Community Service and the Hinsdale Center for the Arts, among many other causes. She shared her love of her adopted hometown by becoming a Realtor, a job in which she found great satisfaction.
Ellen was a great cook - a foodie before that was a thing - and she and Tony enjoyed hosting many famous parties in their Hinsdale home for dear friends and family.
Ellen's family would like to thank the staff at Cedarhurst of Naperville and the nurses, caregivers and counselors from Angel's Grace Hospice of Bolingbrook for their compassionate care for Ellen at the end of her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Anthony B. Carmignani.
Ellen is survived by her sister, Nancy Burgess; her children, Jim (Kim) Carmignani, Dina Carmignani-Bunn and Timothy (Mary) Carmignani; her grandchildren, Elizabeth Carmignani, Katherine (Daniel) Webster, Allison (Aaron) Biskie, Zachary Bunn, Jordan Bunn and Dixon Bunn; and many cousins, nieces and nephews across the country.
A graveside celebration of Ellen's life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 17, at Bronswood Cemetery, 3805 Madison St., Oak Brook. Friends and family are invited. A luncheon will follow for all.
