Ellen G. Craney

Ellen Giangiulio Craney of West Chester.

Ellen G. Craney, 88 of West Chester, died Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at Medford Leas in Medford, NJ.

She was the wife of the late James F. Craney.

Born October 6, 1930 in West Chester, PA, Ellen was the daughter of the late Agostino Giangiulio and the late Annetta DiMuzio Giangiulio.

After graduating from Saint Agnes High School of West Chester, Ellen pursued her dream of teaching. She earned a degree in elementary education from West Chester State Teacher’s College, which is West Chester University today.

Over her career, Ellen taught at several elementary schools in the West Chester Area School District, including the High Street and Penn Wood schools. In addition, Ellen mentored adult learners, assisting them with obtaining a Graduate Equivalency Degree (GED). She continued her post graduate education by taking classes at the university and traveling to Europe and throughout the United States during the Summers for professional development. She was recognized by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in 1991 for her work in education, winning a stipend to pursue independent study through the NEH’s Summer Studies Program. After retiring, she taught Confirmation Preparation classes at St. Agnes.

At The Brandywine River Museum, as a volunteer, Ellen created Critter Holiday Ornaments fashioned from dried plants, shells, pine cones, other things found in nature to sell to help raise funds to support the Museum, where she also served as a guide to visitors. She was a member of West Chester’s Garden club and volunteered for Meals on Wheels. Ellen enjoyed swimming and exercising at the Quarry Swim Club, AC/AC, and spending Summers in Stone Harbor, NJ.

Ellen enjoyed knitting hats and scarves, baking, painting in both water colors and acrylics, canning tomatoes, and making jelly. Most recently, at Medford Leas Assisted Living, Ellen knitted baby caps for newborns at Virtua Voorhees Hospital and made sandwiches for Camden NJ food bank.

Ellen is survived by her three sons, James E, of Philadelphia, Michael A, of Wisconsin, and John A of Philadelphia, two sisters Ann G. Rilatt of Elizabethtown and Elizabeth G. Sweeney of West Chester, PA. In addition, she  is  survived by two grandchildren. Keegan of Tampa, Florida  and Kathryn of Galesville, Wisconsin.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Visitation on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 from 9-10am at St. Agnes Church 233 W. Gay St. West Chester, PA 19380; followed by her Funeral Mass at 10am.

Entombment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, West Chester.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Brandywine Valley SPCA 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380; or The West Chester Area Senior Center 530 E Union Street, West Chester PA 19382

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181; www.DellaFH.com.