In Memoriam: Former Longtime Fair Havenite, RFH Grad, Ellie Mitchell, 85

Former longtime Fair Havenite and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) graduate, Eleanor “Ellie” Marie Mitchell, whose family owned the iconic Willowbrook Inn, now Raven and the Peach, passed away Nov. 7. She was 85.

Ellie’s family “moved to Fair Haven in 1955. While living in Fair Haven, Ellie graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School. Ellie worked as a bookkeeper for the Willowbrook Inn, the restaurant her parents owned in Fair Haven. She worked there serving banquets and clam bakes for the restaurant. She took great pride in working in the family business and loved to reminisce about her experiences there. After high school she began working for George Blair at Hospital Picture Services in Red Bank. She worked for him for several years, while maintaining the books for the Willowbrook Inn. Ellie would continue to work as a bookkeeper for several small local businesses up until her death. While working at the Willowbrook Inn she met Robert Mitchell, whom she married …
“Ellie loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed playing with them, buying them clothes and taking care of them. Nothing made her happier than shopping for others. She loved to give gifts and make others happy. Christmas and birthdays were her favorite times of the year. She loved to make it special for each person. She loved the dogs too, taking time each day to spend with each one, but was particularly fond of Tegan. She would spend an hour petting him every morning while she ate breakfast, and he misses her so much.

“Ellie loved roses, which is evident by the amount of them planted in the garden. Dad would bring her fresh flowers from the garden every day and place them on the windowsill for her. Our favorite memory of mom will be getting her on a plane for the first time and taking her to Disney! All the wonderful memories we made during that trip will be forever in our hearts.

“Ellie had one of the most giving hearts. She was always there, always lending a hand, always offering advice, always there to listen. She was strong, stubborn and kind. We are forever grateful for the love that you gave us as a mother, a sister, a grandmother and a great grandmother, we love you mom.”
Loved ones of Ellie Mitchell in her obituary

Ellie was born in Newark to William and Emily Spreen. She grew up on Rector Street with her brother Billie and sister Carol. “They enjoyed many summers together selling vegetables from their organic vegetable garden.

“At age 5, Ellie was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at a time when Polio was taking the lives of many children. She was a fighter and overcame her symptoms.

“At age 6, while playing with some friends blowing bubbles, a wire went into her right eye. After multiple surgeries and infection, she lost her right eye on her 7th birthday. She would tell us stories of being in the hospital as a little girl and helping to feed sick babies and having to get multiple shots of penicillin which ultimately saved her life. Clearly, her compassion and strength started at an early age. Ellie attended Bregaugh elementary school and Weequahic High School.”

Ellie is predeceased by her husband, Robert, who passed away in 2021 after 54 years of marriage. He would tell everyone Ellie was “the greatest thing that has ever happened to him.”

He showed that through his actions until the day he passed through random cards, love notes and his signature Whitman`s box of candy. They shared many memories together and truly loved each other, it is comforting that they are now reunited.

They are survived by: two children Michelle Ann Mitchell and Diane Marie Mitchell Savastano. Michelle has one daughter Samantha, who has a daughter Eleanora with Matthew. Diane is married to Joe. They have two daughters, Arielle and Aurora. Arielle is married to Daniel. They have two boys, Finn and Liam. Aurora is engaged to Carly. Ellie is also survived by two younger siblings, William Spreen Jr. and Carol Dunkin, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home