Ellen J. Grosjean, 91, of Utica, passed away Thursday, August 24, 2017 at Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center, New Hartford. Ellen was born May 3, 1926, in Hudson, NY, the daughter of John Williams and Lena Stumma. Her step-father was Phillip Shaffer. She was raised and educated locally, attending Whitesboro Schools, graduating from Holland Patent High School. On August 1, 1947, Ellen married Lowell H. Grosjean in Utica. They built two homes together, and shared a blessed union of 58 years until his passing on May 17th, 2005. She was employed with the UFCW Local District One in Utica as a computer keyboard operator from 1969 until her retirement in 1983. Ellen was a member of the Deerfield Seniors as well as a member of the former St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in North Utica, before it closed. Ellen was an animal lover and enjoyed her two cats as well as nature and bird watching. She loved anything with frogs and collected frog statues and knick knacks. Mom was game for almost anything. She became more adventurous as the years passed, experiencing everything from riding a Harley in her late 60’s to enjoying a chair lift ride up McCauley Mt. in Old Forge to view the mountains in her 70’s. For her 80th birthday she went to a Professional Bull Riding show at Turning Stone loving every minute of it. She enjoyed rides up north especially in the fall. One such ride led to an impromptu sunset seaplane ride over 7th Lake in Inlet at 81 years young. A true foodie, she enjoyed restaurants such as Kirby’s & Symeon’s. Klondike Bars were a favorite late night snack. She was always up for a good time enjoying get togethers, never turning down a glass of wine. Ellen and Lowell were known by local children as the “Neighborhood Grandparents” visiting them just as family would. They were always there to see the Lynn children board the bus for their first day of school. She always looked forward to getting her hair and nails done weekly, saying “I’m beautiful again!” with a big smile. Ellen is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Jody and Don Bombace, Canandaigua; 2 nephews - David (Debbie) Grosjean and family of Clifton Park NY, Brian (Ann) Grosjean and family, of Willington, CT; her two cats, Teeki and Lilly, and close friends and neighbors. Besides her loving husband Lowell, Ellen was pre-deceased by her half-sister Liese-Lotte Bublitz of Germany, her brother in-law and sister in-law, Leland and Janice Grosjean, nephew, Lanny Grosjean, as well as in-laws and close friends, Jim & Florence Bombace. Special thanks to neighbors, the Lynn and Mahardy families and hairdresser Mindy Cover for their special friendship and support over the years. Mrs. Grosjean’s services are being held privately at the convenience of the family. Interment will take place in West Schuyler Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd., North Utica. Those wishing may make donations to the Stevens-Swan Humane Society in Ellen's memory.