Ellen Startt Sanger, loving wife, mother
Ellen Startt Sanger, 80, passed away Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, at her home in Rehoboth Beach.
Ellen was born Oct. 29, 1944, in Easton, Md., to the late Robert Kenly and Anne Jesse (Saathoff) Startt. She graduated from St. Peter & Paul High School in Easton, Md., in 1962, attended Goldey-Beacom School of Business in Wilmington, and received a Letter of Recognition in Music Performance from Chesapeake College.
Ellen married William Maurice Sanger Oct. 4, 1964. They moved to Federalsburg, Md., and later to Kent Island, Md., where they raised their family. Ellen supported Maurice in their Western Auto Store business. She was active in St. Christopher's Catholic Church in Chester, Md., singing in the choir and teaching Sunday school. Ellen also served as a Girl Scout leader and sang with The Queen Anne's Chorale for many years. In 2017, Maurice and Ellen retired to Rehoboth Beach, a location Ellen had cherished since her early childhood. During her time there, she became a member of St. Edmond Catholic Church and enjoyed spending time at the beach with her children and grandchildren. Her interests included sewing, designing garments for her children, gardening, and traveling. She particularly valued her annual trips to Aruba with family and friends.
In addition to her husband, Ellen is survived by her six children, William Jeffery Sanger (Carol), Elizabeth Sanger Scipione (Richard), Marie Annette Sanger, Kathleen Michelle Morgan, Lisa Sanger Lynch and Stephanie Ellen Downey (Christopher); seven grandchildren, Nicole Bilbrough (Sean), Alison Sanger (Haleigh), Kathleen Sanger, Miles Campbell, Simon Downey, Claire Downey and Madison Downey; three great grandchildren, John Bilbrough, Caroline Bilbrough and Henry Bilbrough; and two brothers, Thomas Lee Startt (Bonnie) and Patrick Glenn Startt.
She was predeceased by her grandson, William Nathan Gardner; son-in-law, John B. Lynch III; sister, Kathleen Marie Startt; and brother, Robert Kenly Startt Jr.
A viewing will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, Centreville, Md. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 24, at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ellen’s name to Our Mother of Sorrows/St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, St. Peter’s Restoration Fund, 303 Chesterfield Ave., Centreville, MD 21617.
