Mary Ellen McGoury Alexander died peacefully in Avow Hospice, Naples, Fl on August 23, 2020.
Ellen is survived by her husband of 48 years, Arnold Alexander; their four children, Molly Carleton
(husband Todd Carleton, their daughters Arden, Piper, Charley, Edgecomb, Maine); Eric Alexander
(wife Elizabeth, their daughters, Waverly, Laken, Marin, Arnold, Maryland); Megan Waltinger (husband
Patrick, his children, Yannick, Helene, Edward, Boothbay, Maine); Justin Alexander (wife Stacey, their
daughters Daphne, Penny, Stewartstown, Pennsylvania); and her sister, Nancy Waters McGoury
Keber, Alexandria, Virginia.
Ellen was born on November 10, 1943 in Cumberland, Maryland to Mary Elizabeth Waters McGoury
and Thomas Elias McGoury. She grew up in Odenton, Maryland and Severna Park, Maryland. Ellen
graduated from Goucher College, Towson, Maryland, with a BA in French in 1965. She taught
Advanced Placement French in Baltimore County Public High Schools for a number of years. She then
was employed as a Social Worker for Anne Arundel County, Maryland until the birth of her first child in
1974, after which she focused on raising their children. She resumed employment in 1990 as the Office
Manager in her husband's medical practice in Severna Park and later Arnold, Maryland. They retired to
Naples, Florida in 1999.
In Naples, Ellen enjoyed playing tennis, often daily, for many years. She became an active member of
Sandollars, a Women's Service Club after two years with Naples Newcomers. She served as
Sandollars Vice President, Program Director, for several years and then as Club President for several
more years. She then continued as an active member.
Ellen was known for her welcoming, whimsical and spunky nature. She was the ultimate hostess; never
would a guest leave hungry, and all were welcome at her table. She would insist everyone needed to
treat themselves to seconds and dessert (and sometimes stole a bite or two for herself). Her love of
food, entertaining and hosting was instilled in her four children, all of whom can attribute their love of
cooking and entertaining to her. It was part of her empathetic and sensitive disposition to listen more
than she spoke, always wanting to hear about others' feelings and experiences. She was so proud of
her four children and the lives they've built, delighting in their visits and hearing of their experiences
and adventures, no matter how far away they were. She loved to chat with her granddaughters and
hear their stories. The girls cherished those moments, as well as watching movies together snuggled in
her bed. She was also a defender, protector and guardian of animals, and could never say no to
adopting stray cats.
Ellen had a fond appreciation for art, language, culture and music, and loved to attend operas, ballets,
classical music concerts and museums. She could just as easily belt out The Battle Hymn of the
Republic as she would break out some dance moves to the tunes of the Bee-Gees. She had a deep
interest in exploring other cultures, cuisines and landscapes, traveling extensively throughout the Far
East, South Pacific, South & Central America, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean, alongside her
devoted husband who lovingly doted on her until the end.
A Private Memorial Service will be planned in Maryland in the Fall.
In lieu of flowers, Tributes may be made to Avow Georgeson House, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples,
Florida, 34105 or donations can be made to: For the Love of Cats, PO Box 1777, Marco Island, FL
34145 https://www.fortheloveofcatsfl.com/