SCHENECTADY -

Ellen Fortune passed away surrounded by family after a brief fight with cancer on Thursday. She was 76 years old.

Ellen grew up in Troy, NY and was one of five kids that Theodore (Teddy) and Eleanor Zajesky (Murray) had. Her siblings were James (Jimmy) Zajesky, Catherine Bourke (Cathy), William (Bill) Zajesky and Theodore Jr. (Little Teddy) Zajesky. Her father worked at Sycaway Creamery in Troy for 50 years, and Eleanor worked at the department store Topps in Menands and then the Teresian house in Albany for many years. Teddy passed away in 1998 at the age of 80, and Eleanor passed away at the age of 86 in 2006. James (Jimmy) joined the Marines and served for 23 years of active duty and 7 years of reserve duty including two tours of duty in Vietnam, his final rank was Gunnery Sergeant; he passed away at the age of 67 in 2008. Little Teddy passed away at the age of 44 in 1995. Cathy served four years in the United States Naval Reserve and attained the rank of Hospitalman, she currently lives in Ohio. Bill lives in Latham, NY with his family and recently retired.

Ellen graduated from Troy high school in 1967 and shortly thereafter started working for the State of New York, for the Department of Taxation and Finance. She would remain with the State for her entire career, making many friends and forging relationships that would last her whole life. It was during this stage of her life she met the man who would become her husband, James (Jim) Fortune who also worked for the State. Ellen and Jim were married in 1976 and had two children. Daniel (Dan) in 1977, and Jamie in 1981. They would settle in Guilderland, NY and both would continue to work for the State. They both accepted early retirement, but sadly Jim passed away in 2009 after his own battle with cancer. After this she moved to Schenectady, NY. In 2012 Ellen would enter what would be her final stage, and indeed the one she was most looking forward to and perhaps the one she was most suited for.

In October of 2012, Dan and his wife Alisa welcomed a son named Logan, and Ellen would become a grandmother for the first time. Soon after that, Jamie and Dan Owens would welcome Talia to the world, followed by Sophia Fortune and then Rylee Owens. Never had someone been more excited to be a grandparent, or prouder of her grandbabies than Ellen. The joy these kids brought to her life cannot be measured or overstated, and the pride she had in their accomplishments was precious to her. She displayed cards from them and pictures of them throughout her house and always smiled when anyone brought them up. She would end her calls or Facetimes with Talia and Rylee by saying “I love you so” and she really did. Shortly after Logan could talk, he began to refer to Ellen as “Gammy”, and that soon morphed into “Grammie” and the moniker stuck. She was henceforth known to all as Grammie and never has there been a better Grammie in all the world. She loved her grandchildren, but not nearly as much as they loved her. Ellen gave them all the gift of her love, and they will always remember it. It is through them, truly, that Ellen lives on.

Ellen had many hobbies. She loved to read; Stephen King was one of her favorite authors. She loved scary movies; she loved to do jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles in the newspaper. She loved to bowl and was in leagues in Guilderland and Latham for years with Dan. She loved Columbo and Judge Judy, the People's Court and pretty much any show that had a judge presiding over it. She loved elephants, her house was decorated with elephant statues and paintings. She was always working on projects in her house, whether it was wallpapering or maybe painting the steps outside.

The last month of Grammies life was very hard for her and her family. The Community Hospice was with us the entire time and at every step, and we are forever grateful for them and all the help, support and understanding they had. The family would also like to thank everyone that reached out to us during that time; to let us know they were thinking about Ellen and her family, it means more than we can say. Ellen did not want a service, and the family is honoring her wishes. If you wanted to make a donation to the Community Hospice in her name that would be a good thing and we would appreciate it.

Try to remember Ellen in a happy moment. Remember her sense of humor. Remember her smile. Remember her as your friend, your aunt, your cousin or your co-worker. But remember her for she has left us, but know she is at peace now. She will be deeply missed.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family, online at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com