Ellen H. Bluestone

The world lost beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Ellen Hope Bluestone, on Wednesday, August 11, 2021. After a courageous battle against cancer, Ellen died in hospice, surrounded by her three children and the spiritual presence of loving friends and family. Ellen is predeceased by her loving parents, Alexander and Shirley Bluestone, her dear brother, Alex Bluestone, and her cherished nephew, Alex Bluestone. Ellen is survived by her sister, Joanne, brother, Fred, daughter Jessica, sons Richard Wilmot and Andrew Wilmot, their wives Sarah and Alissa, and her treasured grandchildren, Blake, Victoria, Claire, Geoffrey, Samantha, Christopher and William, as well as many close cousins, nieces and nephews. She also took great joy in knowing her beloved cats, Merry and Wednesday, have been adopted by family and friends.

Ellen was born on October 8th, 1950 in Hollywood, Florida. Known by her Nova High School classmates for her magnetic smile, easy friendship, and zeal for life, Ellen graduated at sixteen years of age and began her next chapter at Wellesley College, where she made life-long friends in her dormitory, honed her talent in writing, and earned a degree in Art History. As a young mother, Ellen returned to education, earning a Masters Degree in English from Villanova University and pursuing a PhD in Literature at Rutgers University. While driving her children to activities and managing household responsibilities, Ellen excelled in education, cultivating unforgettable relationships with her students, who affectionately called her Professor Ellen. Her storied career also includes teaching positions at Southern New Hampshire University, Penn State, Harcum College, Immaculata University, West Chester University and Fairleigh Dickinson University. In addition to teaching, Ellen thrived in the role of student, herself, studying poetry, painting and entrepreneurship in order to cultivate her passions and build her career. In her final years, Ellen became a small business owner, creating The Mobile Professor, a tutoring service that provided a wide range of writing assistance.

Not only did Ellen lead dynamic family and career lives, but she also traveled the world. Ellen lived overseas in both England and Brazil, and traveled to Israel, Spain, Italy and Argentina, just to name a few. She saw important pieces of art and architecture in person, vacationed on exotic beaches, and built friendships that traversed all cultural boundaries. These adventures and relationships underscore Ellen's lust for life and love for people, qualities that ultimately delivered her to her final home in the Art Museum district of Philadelphia. Ellen's last five years were spent surrounded by magnificent art, beautiful gardens, and devoted friends. Whether she was exploring the Barnes Museum, hosting exquisite dinners, or participating in her cherished Chabad, Ellen could be found beaming her world-class smile, indulging in hilarious wit, and showering people with love and attention. It was lost on no one that Ellen had found her happiest home and joined a community that will miss her acutely for many years to come.

No role, adventure or accolade (and there were many) meant more to Ellen than that of Bubby to her seven grandchildren. Known as the Ticklemonster, "Cool Grandma," and Bubster, Ellen "Bubby" Bluestone indulged her grandchildren with all her means and loved them with all her heart. Her imprint can be seen everywhere: on their bookshelves, in their excellent vocabularies (and penchants for telling a good story), outgoing and artistic natures, and love of animals. Of all her talents, Ellen's legacy as Bubby is by far her favorite.

Graveside services were held Thursday, 11:00 at Haym Salomon Memorial Park. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Chabad of Fairmount 2025 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130. https://www.jewishfairmount.org/ www.levinefuneral.com