Florence Ellen Tappan Pugh, retired state employee
Florence Ellen Tappan Pugh, 82, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, following a long illness. Daughter of the late William Bruce and Florence Emma Tappan, both lifelong residents of Rehoboth Beach, Ellen was born in Lewes at Beebe Hospital Dec. 5, 1934.
A member of Epworth United Methodist Church since cradle roll, she began singing in the choir at the age of 8. Past vice president of the United Methodist Women, chairperson of the Stewardship Committee on the Council of Ministries and administrative board member, she also served as president of the Laurel New Century Club, was an affiliate of the Delaware State Federation of Women's Clubs, vice president of Beebe Hospital Auxiliary and volunteer at Peninsula General Hospital. She served as a leader of the Beginning Experience Levels Program at Delaware Technical Community College, and was a member of the Beginning Experience Team in Baltimore, Md. She was also a member of the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution. She retired in 1991 after 29 years of service for the State of Delaware Public School system, having been employed in the Lewes, Rehoboth, Laurel and Sussex Votech school districts.
Ellen's first husband, Russel P. Wolfe, father of her three children, died in 1991. Her husband, Charles W. Pugh, former coach and athletic director of Laurel High School, preceded her in death in 1989. Her brother Robert Johnson died in 1996.
Ellen is survived by her brother William Tappan (Peggy) of Rehoboth Beach; her three children, Russel B. Wolfe (Melodie) of Midway Utah, Lawrence K. Wolfe (Lucinda) of Lewes, and Cynthia E. Wolfe of Milton; grandchildren, James Bailey (Evelyn) of Virginia, Scott Wolfe (Chera) of Utah, Christopher Wolfe (Megan) of Tennessee, and Cali Wolfe (Nick) of California; nine great-grandchildren; multiple nieces and nephews; and many friends. Ellen was loved and will be missed by her multiple caregivers, live-in of five years Nazife Mustafava, daughter Cynthia Wolfe and the Gull House of Rehoboth Beach.
Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 13, at Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Epworth United Methodist Cemetery, Rehoboth Beach. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to encourage the reform of the Children's Chancel Choir of Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, or Compassionate Care Hospice, 20165 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Please visit Ellen's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
