Ellen Rose Conroy Gruppo, of sound mind and failing body, died peacefully on April 6th, 2018 at home in Darien, right before breakfast, her favorite meal of the day. Ellen was born in New York City on August 15th, 1927 to Martin and Theresa Conroy and lived most of her childhood in Newark, New Jersey and New York City, with her older brother, Martin. Ellen attended Mary Louis Academy and graduated as valedictorian of her high school class.
She went on to attend the College of Saint Elizabeth in Convent Station, New Jersey on a full merit scholarship and graduated magna cum laude in English. Ellen and the love of her life, Bruno Gruppo, married in 1951. She worked in advertising at Young & Rubicam until the birth of the first of six children, when she became an extraordinarily competent full time Mom and world-class baker.
Ellen and Bruno traveled the world with their family, moving to Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1964 and then to Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1967. Bruno was an executive with the RCA Corporation and Ellen began teaching English at the American School They enjoyed their lives as expats, learning new languages, embracing local customs and traditions, and making new friends. .
Her adventuresome spirit was a perfect complement to her husband’s, and they gave their children that same love of adventure. When the family returned to the New York area, Ellen and Bruno settled in Greenwich, Connecticut. With 2 children in college and 4 more to go, Ellen went back to work as an Executive Assistant , where she whipped the offices of various corporate executives into shape in no time.
Ellen’s husband Bruno was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1987. Ellen was his devoted caregiver, making it possible for him to live at home almost to the end of his life 10 years later. After Bruno’s death, Ellen moved to Darien, Connecticut where she lived the rest of her life.
Ellen is survived by six children, Claire, Paul, James, David, Stephen and Ellen, who live on 3 continents; 15 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. A wake will be held on Tuesday, April 10th from 5 to 8pm at Lawrence Funeral Home at 2119 Boston Post Road, Darien, Conn 06820. The funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 11th at 10am at St John Church, 1986 Boston Post Road in Darien.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association. act. alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?
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