Ellen Carol La Corte
1951 – 2023
Ellen Carol La Corte, a loving mother and wife born in Philadelphia, peacefully passed away on June 23, 2023, after displaying immense strength and resilience throughout her 28-year battle with breast cancer. She was 72 years old.
Ellen’s educational journey began at Rider College, where, as a cheerleader, she enthusiastically led the fans as they cheered on the athletes. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in English education, and had the joyous fortune of meeting her loving husband, Michael. Her thirst for knowledge led her to pursue a Master’s degree in English and a Doctorate in Higher Education from Arizona State University. Recognizing the profound importance of education, she dedicated herself to this field, serving as the esteemed head of Human Resources for the Maricopa County, Arizona Community College District, which encompassed 22 schools, as well as at Rider University and Villanova University.
Ellen was a multi-talented individual who found joy in various artistic pursuits. She authored, “The Perfect Fraud,” a captivating work of women’s fiction published by Harper Collins. She also enjoyed playing the piano and guitar, singing and acting in community theatre, commercial acting and modeling, oil painting, yoga, taekwondo, and even achieved the remarkable feat of conquering ballet en pointe at the age of 70. Above all she enjoyed baking cookies with her granddaughter Amelia.
Ellen’s presence illuminated each room she entered, radiating a bright and loving spirit that touched the lives of all those around her. She embraced life, her family, and her friends with unwavering enthusiasm and devotion. Her remarkable example of courage, perseverance, and unconditional love, is an enduring gift cherished deeply by her beloved family and friends. In the face of life’s challenges, she embodied the mantra, “Don’t. Give. Up.” inspiring all who knew her.
Ellen prized her religious journey and held in high regard the friendship and compassionate guidance generously imparted by Rabbi Adena Blum. Ellen became a Bat Mitzvah this spring, and joyously reaffirmed her marriage of over 45 years, celebrating her enduring love within the Jewish faith.
Ellen is survived by her devoted husband, Michael, her cherished sons, Chris and Nick, her beloved daughters through her children’s marriages, Roxie and Mags, her treasured grandchildren, Amelia, Alan, and Emily; and by her beloved brothers Ivan and Michael. She also leaves behind numerous extended family members and friends who hold dear the time they had with her. Ellen is preceded in death by her loving parents, Samuel and Jeanne Segal.
The legacy of Ellen Carol La Corte will forever be imprinted on the hearts and minds of those who were fortunate enough to have known her. Her indomitable spirit, love, unwavering strength, and infectious laugh will continue to inspire generations to come. As her loving spirit continues to shine may she find solace, joy, and eternal peace.
Rabbi Blum will officiate a memorial service in honor of Ellen’s life, at Congregation Beth Chaim, 329 Village Road East, Princeton Junction, New Jersey, on July 9 at 3:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions be made to Congregation Beth Chaim.
My life was truly blessed just by having had the privilege to meet Ellen and get to know her and her family. I know they will all hold her memory in their hearts where she will forever live, love, dance, laugh and comfort them always!
Ellen was a beautiful person inside and out. We were freshmen together at college and remained lifetime friends. We married men who went to high school and college together and that brought us together throughout the years. We shared many stories together of raising our children, our mutual love of all things Jane Austen, cooking and confidences about our childhood/families. Ellen had many interests and it made her interesting. She was quietly ambitious. Most of all she had a wonderful sense of humor and always made me laugh. Kind and sweet Ellen will be missed.
I’m fortunate to have known Ellen for over 50 years. We were roommates at Rider College my freshman year. Due to so many students, we were 3 in a dorm room for 2. Along with our other roommate, Kathy, we ended up being the room where everyone liked to hang out. We also had Ellen’s cute cat in our room. I remember Ellen meeting Mike through Kathy. It was 1969 & 1970 and the nation was going through many changes. We learned many things outside the classrooms. Protests and lobbying to get the vote for 18 year olds. Ellen liked her quite time and was very thoughtful.
I’m so glad we were able to visit her and her family in Arizona and most recently in 2019 in Princeton NJ (a reunion of 50 years from when we all met at Rider). My sympathy and prayers to Michael and family. Ellen will always be remembered.
Rest in peace dear sister. It was long and difficult struggle the last couple of years but a life very well lived. You were a bright light in all of our lives. And I am and always have been proud to be a part of your journey. We will miss you El. We will console ourselves with our memories. And we will love you always. Brother Ivan
Ellen was a theater friend, and also a fellow Rider Alumni. Many happy memories for her friendship and kindness.
RIP to you Ellen, and deepest prayers and condolences to the family.
I knew Ellen thru Nancy and my Psychology 100 class. She seemed quiet and smart. I didn’t realize she was so talented. I just knew she was nice. My deepest sympathy to her family. She is in your heart. Keep her spirit going.
Dayle Schlinger Rider ’73
Ellen was my sweet ballet buddy. I adored her and we had so much fun! She will be missed very much. Sending prayers to her family.
I am so immensely sad to say goodbye to such an incredible, kind woman, but I am also so overwhelmingly grateful for the light she shone. I met Ellen when I was a teenager doing theatre, and she often told me (and the other teens) that she was keeping an eye on us while we were rehearsing and performing; she jokingly told us to call her “mom.” And she really was like a mom to us. She’d make sure we were drinking water when we performed outside in the summer heat. She’s always remind us what scenes were coming up. We had to call or text when we got home safely from late nights. And when we went to college, Ellen always made sure to stay in touch, to ask how and what we were doing. She’d offer advice, encouragement; she’d take us out to lunch to catch up. She cared so deeply about all of us, and I have never and will never forget how safe that made me feel. I am so happy that Ellen got to accomplish so many of her dreams and that I got to help celebrate some of them with her. And I am so grateful that she always encouraged me and everyone she met to pursue happiness and fulfillment and love.
There just are no words. I am so sorry for the passing of this lovely talented woman. My deepest sympathies to her husband, Mike her children and her grandchildren
MAY HER MEMORY EVER BE A BLESSING
Ah Ellen, We were so lucky to have you in our writing circle. Your wisdom and friendship will be greatly missed. You will remain in our hearts.
I met Ellen while my roommate Mike and I were escaping teenagehood at Rider College, some fifty-plus years ago. Mike was taken by her exuberance, beauty, and kindness, and the rest is history. I loved her wit and intelligence, as we all did.
The last time we all were together was in Scottsdale at her book signing. Ellen had not aged a week. She was the same wonderful woman, wife to Mike, and mother to the boys and their families that I had known all along. I know that today she is with the Lord. He only keeps the best.