Carolyn Ann Ellman
April 3, 1941 ~ March 13, 2023
Born in:
Fort Bragg, NC
Resided in:
Greece, NY
Carolyn Ann Ellman passed peacefully on March 13, 2023. She was predeceased by her husband, best friend, and great love Kenneth Ellman. She was born on April 3, 1941 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina as the daughter of the late Edward and Mary (Lockwood) Wagner and the sister of the late Robert Wagner. Carolyn spent her childhood learning responsibility and patience for her extended family, which included hardships they all endured to support and live with three generations of family in one house. She learned resilience from saying goodbye to her father who was deployed during World War II and saying hello to him when he returned as a changed man. She learned to survive grief at the loss of her beloved brother Robert at a young age. Raised primarily in Brockport, NY, she graduated from Brockport High School and went on to complete her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Education at SUNY Brockport. A passionate teacher, she taught math and elementary education at Gates-Chili Central School District for her entire career. She used every minute of that career to kindly and gently mold her students in academic and social skills. During the summers, Carolyn worked for the Greece Department of Recreation, directing Lakeshore Playground and then serving as “Crafty Carol” at all the sites. A woman of great faith, Carolyn was a Eucharistic minister and taught Sunday school, Confirmation and Pre-Cana classes at Mother of Sorrows. Active in the community, she led a scout troop, and coached recreation soccer. She participated in the Red Hat Society and was part of the “Sexy Six”. She became a stronger branch in our family tree with every generation. Carolyn was a wonderful grandmother, and an amazing great grandma, living life with her little ones with joy and good humor. Carolyn is survived by siblings Richard (Susan) Wagner, and Jocelyn (Randy) Sodoma, children Richard Jr. (Anna) Rohrberg, Barbara Martorana, Debbie Carpenter, grandchildren Cassidy and Tyler Rohrberg, Miranda, Jordan, and Diana Martorana, Joshua (Kayla) and Jesse Stein, and her great-grandchildren Mason and Avery Stein. She will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, Carolyn wishes donations to be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of Ken. For more information and to sign her online guestbook, visit www.meesonfamily.com
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You are now with your beloved Ken in heaven. We had such nice talks and visits in your home and enjoyed talking about our connection to Brockport. Education was a valuable part of your life. You loved and always will be so proud of your family and the joy that having them in your life means to you. May God comfort your family and keep the many memories close to their hearts.
Dear Carolyn, if I never told you, you were a shining light in my teaching career. Always cheerful, caring and helpful. I enjoyed our time together on our sixth grade team. May God bless your beautiful heart and hold you closely in His arms. Love, Gail
Dear Barb,
I am so sorry to read about your mother’s death-her obituary brought home what a loss for Mandy, Jordan and Diana her passing is. I remember sharing stories about our mothers and families, always told with love. Remembering you with affection and with deepest sympathy, Mary
Carolyn…. you were a ray of sunshine in so many people’s lives. I am so glad to not only had the privilege of working with you when I was a teen at the Lakeshore Playground, but having the honor of working with you at Fleming Point. You were full of life and joy. Your smile would light up the room and cause others to smile with you. You are now with your Ken. Celebrating, dancing and rejoicing with Jesus. Thank you for making a difference in my life.
Carolyn touched those who had God’s blessing to know her. She and I worked together at Gates Chili Middle School. Carolyn worked as a 6th grade teacher and I remember she preferred teaching math. However, she was dedicated to improving her craft every way she could. She was interested in teaching her students to be critical readers and thinkers and we spent many happy hours together talking about how to do this. Carolyn had a flair and zest for life. I did attend one of her and Ken’s deer meat picnics and can brag to all I know that I have tasted Bambi Balls and they were terrific! Carolyn was deeply in love with Ken. I still to this day remember that ‘Lady in Red’ is their song. Carolyn was devoted to family. As luck would have it, I got to know her daughter Barb and her grandson. She leaves a wonderful legacy. I love the picture the family chose for us to see to remember her. Life is so short. While I can believe our Lord has gathered her to Himself, I cannot believe she is gone from our presence. My deepest condolences to all her family and to her many friends.