Ellen M. Eisenhower passed away very unexpectedly with family on May 13, 2023. Ellen had just celebrated her 78th birthday. She was born in Akron, Ohio to Frank and Helen Smith. After graduating from Shaler High School in Glenshaw, Pennsylvania, she attended Stratford College in Virginia. Later, with great determination and effort while raising a family, she proudly graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. After graduation she especially enjoyed her work as a Cardiology Research Nurse at George Washington Hospital in Washington, DC. She would always say that the enjoyment of her work made the tough commute from the Virginia suburbs to DC tolerable.

While in High School she started dating her future husband, Jim. They were married in 1965 and have been happily married for over 58 years. Ellen is survived by her husband, her daughters, Brooke McBride and husband Scott, and Erin Eisenhower, and husband Stan, and her two wonderful grandchildren, Avery (17) and Grayson (14).  She also loved her nieces, nephews, and other close family. Ellen was preceded in death by her son Todd, her parents, Frank and Helen Smith, and siblings, Frank Smith, Carol Nieman, and Mary Ann Higman.

Ellen would always say that her life was truly a wonderful adventure. She lived in many special places, Tokyo, Shanghai, El Paso, Birmingham, Charleston, Northern Virginia (Washington), Arizona, Wolfeboro, and Surf City, to name a few. She loved looking for a new home and then decorating it with her special tastes to truly make it a home.

All her worldwide travels included many extraordinary and special experiences. She called living in Japan and China "a fairy tale life." She would say she was so fortunate to have lived the life of an expat wife. While living in Japan she was especially proud to have served as the President of the Women's Group and a member of the Board of Governors at the Tokyo American Club (3,000 plus members). She treasured her travel experiences to Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, Africa, Europe, and Vietnam.

Ellen is consistently described as being a loving, kind, and warm person with a contagious smile. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to her. She loved a quiet evening with a glass of wine in her hands, reading a good book, doing her needlepoint, or just sitting on her back porch whether in Virginia or at the beach.

Ellen's number one passion in life was her family and friends. She had a very special love for her two daughters.  She was known as Gee to her grandchildren.  She loved them dearly and was always their biggest cheerleader.

In lieu of flowers please remember Ellen in your thoughts and prayers. She would appreciate being thought of when you are giving to your favorite charity, viewing a wonderful sunset or sunrise or when you are doing something special. There will be a Celebration of Life on July 30, 2023 in Surf City, NC, so we can remember Ellen and celebrate 78 wonderful years of living life to the fullest.