Ellen is survived by her husband of 54 years, Barry Wagenberg, who loved and idolized her through their story book marriage. She is also survived by her son, Lawrence Wagenberg, along with his wife Natalie and their sons, Miles and Simon. She is survived by her daughter, Melissa Lasher, along with her husband, Andrew and their children, Abe, Sydney, and Rae. Her grandchildren thought Nana hung the moon and will miss how she cherished each of them unconditionally. Ellen also is survived by her sister, Michelle Fivehouse, whose friendship she treasured. Ellen’s greatest joy was her family and she delighted in bringing them together. We are grateful for her empathy and wise advice, and for the legacy of kindness, understanding and generosity that she instilled.
Ellen was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 25, 1948 to Abraham and Sylvia (Portnoy) Watt. Her father, Abe, was a pharmacist and her mother, Sylvia, was a retired schoolteacher. After living in Jamaica, Queens, above her dad’s pharmacy and soda shop, Watt and Watt Prescription Center, Abe, Sylvia, Ellen and her younger sister, Michelle, settled in New Hyde Park, New York. Later, Ellen attended Adelphi University, where she met her future husband, Barry.
Upon Ellen’s college graduation, she and Barry moved to Philadelphia, where Ellen taught elementary school, and Barry attended and then taught at The University of Pennsylvania Dental School. They then moved to the Riverdale section of the Bronx while Barry attended Columbia University for Periodontics and they had their first child, Lawrence, in 1973. They moved again to Robbins Air Force Base in Georgia when Barry was stationed there in the US Air Force. In Georgia, their family welcomed a daughter, Melissa, in 1976. They settled in Livingston, New Jersey. As her children were growing up, Ellen earned her MBA and later worked as an accountant.
Ellen gave generously of her time. She served as a board member of the Health Care Foundation of New Jersey for over twenty years. Ellen was passionate about strengthening medical services in the community and especially proud of the time she spent as co-chair of the grant committee and as Treasurer. In the 1980s, Ellen co-chaired the NCJW Art Show. She later sat on the board of Temple B’nai Abraham and co-chaired the Rachel Coalition, an organization that assists victims of domestic violence. She was also a long-time board member of Daughters of Israel, a skilled nursing facility in New Jersey.
Ellen and Barry did everything together — traveled, walked miles and miles around New York City from their apartment in Manhattan, took in shows at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and spoiled their grandkids. They had restaurants they’d been going to for 58 years, but also loved discovering new spots.
Always impeccably dressed, Ellen was an unflappable optimist with a streak of worry. She embraced every challenge as an adventure. She delighted in her grandchildren, relishing hosting holidays. The most warm and welcoming hostess, Ellen magically fit as many cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends as necessary around her table.
Ellen chose kindness, and her family asks that in her honor you do, too. Give generously of your time and advice. Listen closely and assume there is always a solution to every problem.
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