Elinor “Ellie” Munselle nee Ferrera of Mechanicsburg PA, died on Sunday morning, March 2, 2025 at the Carolyn Croxton Slane Hospice Residence in Harrisburg PA. She was 89 years old.
Ellie was born on April 1, 1935 in Montclair NJ to Paolo Giovanni (Paul John) Ferrera and Kathryn Ferrera nee McCarthy.
She graduated from Montclair High School in 1953 and went to Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where she graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Immediately after graduating college, Ellie enlisted in the United States Navy and attended the Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Naval Station Newport RI. Upon graduating OCS, Ellie requested an overseas posting and was assigned to work for the Military Agency for Standardization (MAS), part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), in Belgrave Square, London, England. While in London, Ellie lived in the Holland Park neighborhood and enjoyed going to Portobello Market on weekends and shopping at Selfridges, her favorite department store.
Ellie met her husband, David Rexford Munselle, while in the Navy. David was an officer posted at Naval Station Rota in Spain, and frequently traveled to London on leave while the two were engaged. They married according to the rite of the Catholic Church on January 28, 1961 at the base chapel in Rota, and honeymooned in Paris, France and Genova, Italy, where Ellie’s father was born, as well as Venice and Rome.
Later that year, Ellie was forced to leave the career she loved as a US Naval officer due to the discriminatory and outdated policies of the day that barred women from serving once they became pregnant. At the time of her honorable discharge, Ellie had achieved the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade.
David was reassigned to a post in Washington DC, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Cathy Ann in March 1962. In December 1964, they welcomed a son, James Jude. Shortly after the birth of their second child, David was reassigned to the Navy Ships Parts Control Center in Mechanicsburg PA.
In 1972, the couple divorced. David moved to Texas, and Ellie remained in Mechanicsburg for the rest of her life where she raised her two children. She never remarried. She rejoined the workforce as a secretary for the United Methodist Church in Shiremanstown for 7 years before landing a coveted job as a Quality Assurance Inspector at the New Cumberland Army Depot, from which she retired in 2000.
Throughout her life, Ellie was a trailblazer, going to college and serving in the military at a time when few women felt the freedom to pursue these goals. She fought for her first credit card in the early seventies, at a time when women couldn’t get one without the permission of their husbands. She appealed denials by company after company until she was able to find a gasoline company willing to take a chance on a newly divorced mother of two. Ellie was also a licensed forklift operator at the time of her retirement.
Her priority was always her children. No matter what the circumstance, she was always there for them, supporting them through trouble, helping them get through college, and shepherding them as they established themselves in life.
Ellie loved collecting, especially costume jewelry, as well as gardening and shopping – she was always on the hunt for a bargain. She was generous in her charitable giving, too, supporting various Catholic charities and animal rescues – she loved animals – but if it was a good cause, she could always find something to give. She also loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who brought her so much joy.
Ellie was preceded in death by her parents and her former husband. She is survived by her brother Edward and his wife Anna of Towaco, NJ; her daughter, Cat, and her son-in-law, Tom Andrews of Mechanicsburg; her son James and his husband Michael of Glendale CA; her grandchildren McCarthy Bennett and Elizabeth; her great-grandchildren Theodore and Antonia; her nephews Dan and Paul; and her best friend Sue Hartung.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, March 6 at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 410 East Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg PA. Visitation with the family will take place from 10:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Hospice of Central PA (hospiceofcentralpa.org/in-honor-in-memory-gifts/).
The Sullivan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Munselle family.
www.sullivanfuneralservices.com
3 comments on “Elinor “Ellie” Munselle”
My husband, Andy, and I sat in the same last row at St. Joseph’s Church as did Ellie. and another parishioner, Leigh Harold. We all became good friends and totally enjoyed each others humor and friendship. Ellie and Andy shared a common bond of military service in the U.S. Navy.. It is ironic that both Ellie and Andy will have their Funeral Mass one day apart. May God Bless their souls. Rest in Peace dear hearts.
I’m grateful that my mother and I had the opportunity to meet Ellie, and I’m touched by how something as simple as a Frosty can bring so much joy to someone. It’s a reminder that it’s often the small things that matter most, especially in difficult times, and that we should never take them for granted. Ellie’s strength and resilience until the end at Carolyn Hospice center in Harrisburg are truly inspiring.
R.I.P.I didn’t know her personally,but threw her daughter cat,I heard so many loving story about her.My deepest sympathy goes out to her and the family.