Ellen Grubb

Ellen Grubb 4/22/1933-5/28/2023 Alfred Lord Tennyson said in his poem "Ulysses," "I am a part of all that I have met…." In truth, that is what can be said about Ellen Grubb, legally named Mary Ellen Whitlatch, born on April 22, 1933, to John Quinter and Hazel Margretta (Thoburn) Whitlatch in their tiny rural home outside of Irwin, Pennsylvania, and situated two houses away from the famous Lincoln Highway, better known as US Route 30. It was the Depression, so the new parents raised fruits and vegetables and chickens. Toddler Ellen was known to be deathly afraid of the chickens, so while the poultry free-ranged, she was enclosed within chicken-wire fence. Ellen thrived as an only child until a baby sister, Hazel Joan, was born six years later. School was a serious endeavor, her parents insisted, so Ellen always studied hard and earned the respect of her teachers. She was one of those children who always seem to do the right thing: her teachers praised her, her friends loved her, and her parents trusted her. In her eighth-grade year, Ellen was named May Queen, an honor bestowed on the student who exemplified the qualities of honesty, dedication and moral integrity. During her years at North Huntingdon High School, Ellen played horn in the band, was feature editor for the school newspaper, and a contributing feature writer for the Irwin Standard. She graduated in 1951 and enrolled as an Elementary Education student at Indiana State Teacher's College (now IUP) in Indiana, PA. While there, she joined Phi Mu Fraternity, becoming president of that sorority during her junior year. During her college years she held various other jobs: waitress at Jumonville Methodist Training Camp in Uniontown, PA; secretary at Union Switch & Signal in Swissvale, PA; and church pianist at the Miller Methodist Church. While at IUP, Ellen met and fell in love with a Music Education major, Graham Grubb, who later performed with, then owned, the Bobby Dale Orchestra, which became the Graham Grubb Orchestra. The first two years of her teaching career were spent in the Penn Hills School District while Graham finished his college work. In June 1957, they were married and started their careers in Greensburg, PA, where they both taught in that school system. She often spoke fondly of her favorite sixth-grade class at Taylor Street Elementary. Soon Ellen and Graham started a family: first Kathy, and then two siblings, Robbie and Paul. Ellen was an excellent mother and frequent substitute teacher in the Greensburg elementary schools, even subbing in her children's classrooms. As the kids entered their middle and high school years, Ellen took on the job of Youth Director at the First United Methodist Church of Greensburg. She would eventually become the Christian Education Director, spending 26 years working at the church. She enjoyed gardening (always interested in finding little-known plants); sewing (self-taught upholstering and making Barbie clothes); doing puzzles of any kind; and reading (single-handedly keeping the Greensburg Public Library in business for years). Ellen loved to walk, whether at a beach or Lynch Field. She delighted in her grandchildren, going to the playground with them, baking cookies, taking beach trips to Stone Harbor, NJ, and attending their concerts. She always managed to find time for outside activities, including literacy tutoring and clown ministry. She was a member of the Tuesday Literary Club, Greensburg College Club, and P.E.O., and a docent at the Westmoreland Museum of Art. She was always game for anything, as evidenced by the infamous one-time-only camping trip to Shawnee State Park with her sister and six kids under the age of 12. She especially enjoyed her travels to Australia, New Zealand, and cross-country by train to the Northwest and California. Ellen was predeceased by her parents and husband of 56 years; she is survived by her daughter Kathy Grubb Dwyer, husband Richard ("Zoot"), and grandchildren Rae and Lukas; son Robert Grubb and wife Joni; son Paul Grubb and wife Debbie; sister Joan Freeman; niece Debbie Dalton, husband Robert and daughter Abby; and niece Amy Grubb-Sailor and husband Mark. Ellen Grubb was not only a product of all that she had seen, met, and done in her 90 years, but she was also truly a role model who loved her fellow human beings, believed in giving what she had to offer, and strived to learn new things to the end. She will be sorely missed by her numerous friends and all who knew and loved her. To honor Ellen's memory, contributions can be made to South Greensburg Recreation, 1515 Poplar St., Greensburg, PA 15601 or YWCA Westmoreland County Literacy Program, 424 N Main St, Greensburg, PA 15601. The family wishes to thank Good Samaritan Hospice House in Wexford for their care and support. For online condolences and information, please visit www.dalessandroltd.com.

Ellen Grubb

April 22, 1933 - May 28, 2023