Else "Ellie" Nye Ernst

Else (Ellie) Nye Ernst passed away peacefully, surrounded by her husband and children, at her home in Darien, CT on June 1st, 2024. 

Ellie was born December 11, 1939 in South Orange, NJ. She attended Smith College where she met the love of her life, Fred Ernst. She graduated from the College of William & Mary Summa Cum Laude and received her Associate’s Degree from Parson’s School of Design.

Fred and Ellie were married on January 9th, 1960. Their 64-year marriage was blessed with four children: Michael, Jonathan, Anne, and Charles, as well as nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Additionally, Ellie is survived by her brother, Joseph S Nye and her dearest friend and sister-in-law, Molly H Nye. She was loved by all as a wonderful sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.  Ellie will be sorely missed. 

Family was Ellie’s greatest joy, she was also a talented artist and gardener who loved to share her gifts with others. As Principal for Day & Ernst, a contemporary rug design business, Ellie was awarded a Roscoe Award for her design and was commissioned to make a floorcloth for the dining room of the Governor’s Palace at Colonial Williamsburg. She served her community through participation in many charitable organizations, including the boards of the Montgomery Alabama Museum of Fine Arts and Shakespeare Festival Theater, as well as Weir Farm in Redding, CT.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to The Parkinson’s Foundation in her name. Kane Funeral Home; Ridgefield, CT is in care of arrangements.

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