Ellen D. DiSanti

Ellen D. DiSanti, 60, of West Chester, PA passed away Tuesday August 27, 2024 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia of metastatic breast cancer.

Ellen was a loving wife and partner to Francis J. DiSanti, Jr., an amazing mother to Julia DiSanti and Christine DiSanti, and a devoted sister to her three siblings, Steve (Teri) DiProspero, Diane (late Jeff) Brittingham, and Andrew (Carla) DiProspero. She was beloved by her 11 nieces and nephews, and a dear friend and family member to many.

Ellen was born February 2, 1964 in West Chester, and grew up in Kennett Square, PA. She was the daughter of the late Erasimo “Sonny” DiProspero and the late Grace McCormick DiProspero. Some of Ellen’s fondest memories are of her childhood summers spent swimming in the pool at her father’s mushroom house with her siblings and cousins.

Ellen graduated from Bishop Shanahan High School in 1982. After attending secretarial school and working for a time after high school, Ellen went back to school and graduated summa cum laude in 1992 from West Chester University (WCU) with a degree in Communications. While at WCU, she and Fran met through mutual friends. They married on August 10, 1991, and just celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary.

After stepping away for a time after having children, Ellen returned to WCU, where she worked for 20 years. She retired in March 2024 as the Senior Associate Director of Communications for New Student Programs, using her creativity and attention to detail to welcome new students to WCU. In 2018, she received the WCU Alumni Recognition Award for her work excellence, service to students and individual special achievement.   

Ellen was a life-long learner. She was an avid reader, with a depth of knowledge on topics like history, West Chester history, art, architecture, antiques, writing, fashion, birds, gardening, and so much more. Ellen was also incredibly creative, with a keen eye for photography in particular. She especially loved capturing nature and playing with light and shadow in her work.

Ellen would always joke she was a “fountain of useless knowledge,” but her deep and varied interests and love of learning made her a true renaissance woman.

As a native of Philadelphia’s suburbs, Ellen was an active follower of all Philly sports teams; she especially loved football and baseball. She loved all things Eagles from a young age, thanks to her super-fan father, and she enjoyed many nights with Fran at Citizens Bank Park as a season ticket holder for the Phillies.

Ellen’s happy place was the beach, namely the Jersey Shore. She enjoyed family trips as a child, countless girls’ trips, and family vacations with Fran and her two girls. Ellen could sit on the beach from sunrise to sunset.

She was generous with her time and talents, serving as a Eucharistic minister and member of the Pre Cana team at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church for a number of years.

Ellen lived an extraordinary life, marked by the kindness and compassion that endeared her to so many. Her grit, wisdom, and joy for the little things in life will serve as an inspiration.

Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 North Church Street West Chester, PA 19380, and on Thursday, September 5, 2024 from 9:00 am - 9:45 am at St. Agnes Church; 233 W. Gay St. West Chester, PA 19380; followed by her Funeral Mass at 10:00 am.

Interment will be held after the Funeral Mass at Oaklands Cemetery, 1042 Pottstown Pike, West Chester, PA 19380.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Abramson Cancer Center.

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