Margaret Jean Ellis was born in Yakima, Wash. on Oct. 5, 1919 to Mary Elizabeth McDonald Ward (“Lillian”) and Stephen Ward and died Dec. 26, 2009.

Her father, who had been street commissioner for the City of Everett, died in 1919.

Jean was raised in Everett, attending Washington Oakes School, Immaculate Conception School, North Junior High, Everett High School and Everett Community College.

In 1939 she married Harry C. Ellis and they had two daughters, Kaethe Ellis and Nancy Ellis Schaps. Jean and Harry lived in Tacoma, Camano Island, Stanwood and Marysville before returning to Everett. Jean worked for Twin City Foods before her retirement. Jean was preceded in death by her husband Harry (1995) and both daughters – Nancy (1996) and Kaethe (2005) – and by her sister Dorothy Stevenson and brother Donald Ward.

Following Kaethe’s death, Jean moved into the Washington Oakes retirement community, into the building where she had previously attended school.

She is survived by: her grandson Andrew Schaps (Tiffany) and great grandson Christopher; her grandson Kevin Schaps (Laura); her son-in-law Ronald Schaps (Ruth); nephew James Stevenson (Nancy); niece Sharon Johnson (Dave); niece Mary Jennings (Michael) and the children of her nephew and nieces.

Her funeral mass was at 11 a.m., Jan. 2, 2010 at the Immaculate Conception church in Everett. Remembrances to a cancer research organization of your choice or to the Immaculate Conception school in Everett.