Bryson City—Ellen Kilgannon, age 61, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 20, 2022, at a friend’s home.
A native of New Jersey and a Swain County resident since 1988. She was a daughter of the late William and Lorraine Rey Kilgannon. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two loving pets, her dog, Junebug and cat, Loomis.
Ellen received an associates degree in Fashion Merchandising at Brandywine College where she played softball as a hind catcher. She was employed by Nantahala Outdoor Center for 11 years.
Ellen was Executive Director for P.A.W.S. Animal Shelter in Bryson City from 2004 until 2013. She worked as a muralist until she became ill, and her love for the outdoors transcended into her art.
Ellen reconstructed an authentic log cabin of which she enjoyed seeing the end result. She loved to travel, enjoyed long distance hikes while accomplishing the hike of the Appalachian Trail in 1987. Ellen had a passion for the outdoors and was extremely motivated in accomplishing new challenges in her life. She enjoyed cycling, backpacking, paddling, while enjoying multi-day trips. She created connections of a big community of friends until the time of becoming ill.
Ellen is survived by her wife of 22 years, Deborah L. Allen, and was married in 2008; sister, Joan Glunk, of Freehold, New Jersey; brother, Kevin Kilgannon, and his wife, Tamsin, of Lebanon Township, New Jersey; nephew, William Brady Kilgannon; four pets, Jackson and Rags, the dog and Wally and Beebo, the cats; and many close friends.
A celebration of life will be held in the springtime with family and friends.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the immense support from the community that she built around her.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Julia Hunt Endowment, nccommunityfoundation.org or to Advocates for Animals of WNC, PO Box 495, Sylva, NC 28779.
The care of Mrs. Kilgannon has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com