Ella Dean, 79, formerly of Morgantown, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Hospice of Northwest Ohio on December 23, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones.
Ella Ann Dean was born in Morgantown on Dec. 20, 1944, to parents Neoma and John Crynock II.
Ella graduated from Morgantown High School in 1962 where she was an honors student. Ella attended West Virginia University from 1962-65, where she was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. In 1965, she married Stuart L. Dean, and they moved to Beaumont, Texas where he accepted a teaching position at Lamar State College of Technology. While at Beaumont, she completed a BA degree with honors from Lamar State College of Technology.
In 1967, Stuart accepted a faculty position at the University of Toledo, and they moved to Toledo, Ohio. During her first year in Toledo, Ella taught in the Toledo Public School system.
At this time, Ella and Stuart began a family with the birth of Lori in 1970 and Samuel in 1973. They were very dear to her, and she often stated that if she were to have written the specific description for children, she would not have changed a thing. Both children have had successful academic and business careers, Lori as an M.D. and Samuel as the CEO of the Scott Family Amazeum, a large children’s science museum. They were her pride and joy.
Ella was later employed at Lucas County Children’s Services and completed undergraduate requirements for a degree in social work at West Virginia University. Ella began a fulfilling career helping people at the Red Cross, YWCA Rape Crisis Center and as a social worker at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, where she was a highly regarded employee.
Ella will long be remembered for her kindness, compassion and love for animals and very keen humor and wit. Ella always made others feel profoundly welcome, and brought smiles to faces and hearts. She now returns to be scattered over the beloved hills of her native state. The mountains have called her, and she will return.
The Dean family is forever grateful for the assistance over the years of her principal caregivers, Carrie and Mindy. Cindy, Laura and Ana helped tremendously in the last few weeks of Ella’s life and gave her great comfort during her last days. Finally, a great appreciation is expressed to the entire staff of Hospice of Northwest Ohio as they helped Ella in her final transition.
Ella’s life and legacy will be honored in a celebration at a later time.
Memorial donations to the Animal Friends of North Central West Virginia would be welcome.
Please view and sign our online guest registry at:
www.CoyleFuneralHome.com
