Ella Proper

Ella Elsie (Weber) Proper passed away on August 11, 2024, at the age of 101.

She was born on February 6, 1923, in Manhattan, New York, to Katherine and Michael Weber.  She had two siblings, Katherine and John, however, John passed away at the age of 21. Ella lived on 24th street until she was six years old, and then moved to their apartment at 415 E. 75th street, which was a four-room apartment with no private bath as the tub was in the kitchen under the counter. Her parents were the Supers of the building, and her dad was also a baker. She would always look forward to his coming home as he would bring goodies left-over from the bakery!

Ella attended Julia Richmond High on 68th and 2nd Avenue, and after graduation, she went to secretarial school and got a job at Chiswick Rare Book Store. She then worked at Revlon, the Singer Sewing Machine Co., and then as a secretary at the Barrett Division for a mechanical engineer. This is where she met William E. Proper, who she later married on June 16, 1951.

Ella (later changed to Ellen) and Bill had two children, John and Lynn, and lived first in West Orange but then moved to their home of 50 years at 14 Ann Street, Verona, NJ. They enjoyed traveling together, as well as times at their summer home in Lake Hopatcong, NJ. Ellen volunteered at the local hospital and was always active in their church. She had a strong faith, which was apparent in her everyday life. Ellen started working part time at Macy’s and enjoyed working there till she was 86 years old, about 40 years of employment!   After Bill’s death, Ellen moved to Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains, NJ, where she enjoyed singing and spending time with her new friends.

Ellen loved her childhood in New York City and said, “I wouldn’t trade it for the world!”  One of her fondest memories was standing out on the front “stoop” singing songs from a newly purchased song sheet. She would make her own clothes in her dad’s basement work shop, and always had to have everything match…from gloves to hats! Frank Sinatra was her love, and she could see him perform in the early years in a theater in her backyard. She was truly part of the Greatest Generation!

We will always remember Ellen’s love of life and most importantly her love of her family.  Her determination, strong will, and generous and caring heart will be remembered by her family forever. She was a devoted and loving mother to her son, John, and daughter, Lynn.  She was a proud grandmother to Michael Lepore and Ashley Lepore Mckenna, as well as being “GG” to Nash and Lyndee Lepore, and Layna McKenna.  Her song, “I love you a bushel and a peck,” will forever be in our hearts as well as all the memories of time spent together.

Ellen Proper was a remarkable woman with a sharp wit, style and grace. She will be profoundly missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends. She is survived by her son, John Proper, her daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Tom Lepore; her grandson and his wife, Michael and Kaitlin Lepore, and their children, Nash and Lyndee; her grand-daughter and her husband, Ashley and Tyler McKenna, and their daughter, Layna. Also surviving her are her sister, Katherine; and nieces and nephews, Susan Baxter-Young, Randy Ferron, Steven Mannina and Christine Metcalf.

Preceded her in death are her husband, Bill; her parents, Katherine and Michael Weber; and her brother, John Weber.

At her funeral, she always said to sing the song, “I’ll be seeing you in all the familiar places….” so, may she keep singing and rest in peace knowing how much she was loved and will be missed!

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Glaucoma Foundation or Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.