Ellen Wall Dellinger

Ellen Wall Dellinger, age 76, of Davidson, North Carolina passed away peacefully on December 3, 2022.  Ellen is survived by her husband Robert E. Dellinger and their three children; son Robert E. Dellinger Jr. & wife Jennifer M. Dellinger of Davidson, NC; daughter Jennifer Dellinger Fosgate & husband David H. Fosgate of Summit, NJ; son Dean A. Dellinger & wife Megan D. Dellinger of Atlanta, Georgia.  Ellen was the loving Grandmother to eight…  Alex, Harper, Sophie, Dory, Luke, Elsie, Elizabeth and Emmy.  They will truly miss their “Nana.”

Ellen was born November 21, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri to John Bapst Wall and Dorothy Dean Wall.  She  is also survived by her younger siblings, John B. Wall Jr., Susan M. Wall and Richard D. Wall.  The Wall family was raised primarily in Grosse Pointe, Michigan outside of Detroit, where John Sr. worked in advertising.  She had fond memories of her childhood, including trips to Ludington on Lake Michigan for summer vacations and dune buggy rides at Sleeping Bear Dunes.  Ellen was a proud graduate of the University of Michigan always rooted-on her beloved Wolverines.  In her freshman year, she desperately wanted to travel to Pasadena for Michigan’s triumphant return to the 1965 Rose Bowl, but alas, her father told her it was too far for a respectable young lady to travel without a chaperone.   Michigan prevailed over Oregon State, so all was not lost.  GO BLUE!

Following graduation in the late sixties, Ellen embarked on a professional career that took her to New York City, where she met and fell in love with an odd match… a Southern gent from Thomasville, North Carolina.  At their first meeting, Ellen wasn’t quite sure of this tall, lanky guy, so she offered up her name as “Ellen Ashby,” her middle name.  Bob searched for the lovely Ellen for months but could not find her in the vastness of the city, until a chance encounter at a friend’s party.  On January 3, 1970, Ellen & Bob were married in snowy New Canaan, Connecticut.

For nearly 53 years, Ellen & Bob built a beautiful life together.  While Bob had a demanding career as a textile executive, Ellen served as the true backbone for the family.  She gave everything she had for her children, Rob, Jenny, and Dean.  Bob’s promotions took them all over the country, to Dallas, Miami, Concord, NC and back up north to Summit, NJ.  Through it all, Ellen worked to build the best life for her family… including the menagerie of pets Bob would “surprise” her with over the years.  She took pride in the success and accomplishments of her husband & children.  Bob’s career success would not have been possible without her hard work and sacrifice.  In the eighties and nineties, Ellen carved out a successful career in Real Estate that meshed perfectly with her friendly smile and knowledge of the community where she raised her children.

In later years, Ellen bravely battled a variety of health challenges that sadly impacted her quality of life.  She would have good days and she would have bad days.  During this time, it was Bob’s turn to be her “rock” and loyally care for her.  The Dellingers have spent their recent decades in Davidson, where they continued to host family gatherings, since it was difficult for Ellen to travel.  Through it all, her love for family & devotion to her husband has been unwavering and will carry forward into heaven.

The family will host a gathering at 2:00 pm, Sunday, January 15, 2022 at Davidson United Methodist Church. We hope you can join us to celebrate Ellen's life and to reminisce about her mark on the world. A reception will follow at The North Harbour Club, 100 N. Harbour Place in Davidson.

The Dellingers are grateful for the care and compassion shown by the staff of Aldersgate and Hospice & Palliative Care, Charlotte.  In lieu of flowers, friends and family may make donations in support of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation:  https://www.helpfightra.org/about-rheumatoid-arthritis-foundation/