Ellen (Mearsheimer) McDonald went with God this past Saturday July 14, 2018. After having bravely battled cholangiocarcinoma for 18 months, she passed peacefully in the arms of her husband Tim, her daughters, Caroline and Megan and her brother TJ at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ. Ellen leaves all of us broken-hearted but we are strengthened by the many wonderful memories she has left behind.
Born on October 10, 1961 at Phelps Hospital in Tarrytown, NY to Col Thomas Mearsheimer and Ruth (Baumann) Mearsheimer, Ellen grew up in Croton-On Hudson, NY. The Mearsheimer Family was a pillar in the Tarrytown community for decades and, being the youngest of five, Ellen left a lasting mark on her hometown. She was an outstanding student and an extraordinary athlete throughout her time in Croton and graduated from Croton Harmon High School in 1979.
After completing a year at its preparatory school at Fort Monmouth, NJ, Ellen entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1980. As one of the first classes with women, she was extremely proud to be a member of the “Best of The Corps, Class of 1984”. Her athleticism and academic abilities served her well at West Point, but it was her sincerity, intense dedication, and unwavering integrity that defined Ellen’s Cadet years. She met Tim while at West Point and shortly after she graduated in 1984, she made him the happiest man on earth.
Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army’s Military Police Corps, she completed the Officer Basic Course at Fort McClellan, Alabama and was assigned as a platoon leader in Baumholder, Germany. As a First Lieutenant she served as a Company Supply Officer and later as Company Executive Officer. Ellen loved serving in Germany as one of “Reagan’s Lieutenants” during the Cold War and made many lifelong friends while she was there. She returned to the United States in 1988, completed the Officer Advanced Course, and was assigned as a Captain to Fort Ord in Monterey, CA. She resigned from the Army in 1989.
Ellen began her corporate career as a Sales Representative for Janssen Pharmaceutical, a Johnson and Johnson Company, in the Philadelphia area. Her organizational and leadership skills, along with her strong work ethic were quickly recognized as she was promoted rapidly through numerous positions within the Johnson and Johnson Family of Companies. Ellen was always seen as one who set the bar high and tried to live up to that standard everyday. Her commitment to the mission was contagious and she was able to gain buy-in from those around her to help elevate the effectiveness of every unit she led.
In 1994, Ellen enrolled in Columbia University’s Business School Executive MBA Program, and once again she excelled academically and made more life-long friends. She graduated from the program earning an MBA in Finance in August of 1996.
Later that year Ellen and Tim traveled to China and on November 11th, 1996 they adopted their twin daughters, Caroline and Megan in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The irony was not lost on Ellen that two West Pointers would be starting their family on Veterans Day in a far-off country. In their family Veterans Day became known as “Gotcha Day” when they “got” their two baby girls. Ellen loved many people and many things throughout her life. She loved her country, her parents, her brothers and sister and her family members. She loved her friends, her colleagues and classmates, and she dearly loved her husband. But from November 11, 1996 forward Ellen’s love for Caroline and Megan would always occupy the top spot on that list.
Ellen continued to excel through a very successful career in the Health Care Industry. Her journey included positions in which she helped to lead some of the largest drug franchises in the industry. She was always one who placed the mission first and people always. Most recently Ellen joined IT Cadre, which was founded by fellow West Point classmates. She loved working with this group as they held the same very high standards of work ethic and integrity by which she had lived her life.
Ellen leaves behind her devoted husband of 34 years, Tim, her loving 22 year old twin daughters, Megan and Caroline, and her constant canine companions, Duke and Eli. The family has lived these past twenty years in Skillman, NJ.
The youngest of five children, Ellen is survived by her brothers, John (Pamela) Mearsheimer of Chicago, IL, TJ (Caryl) Mearsheimer of Mendham, NJ, and Peter (Nancy) Mearsheimer of Scarsdale, NY, along with her sister Joanne (Ed) Zerg of Zephyrs Cove, NV. She loved her siblings very much and was proud to have them in her life. She seemed to have a very special relationship with each of them and they all adored their baby sister.
She was a loved Aunt to many nieces and nephews who enjoyed spending time with her during holiday gatherings, relaxing at the beach, or just enjoying family get-togethers. When an organ transplant was being considered as a potential treatment for Ellen many of her nieces and nephews, aware of the risk to themselves, stepped forward without hesitation to be considered as living organ donors to help save Ellen’s life.
Taken from us much too soon, may she rest peacefully and watch over us all as we keep her in our hearts.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Ellen’s name to the Service Women’s Action Network in order to continue to benefit all military women.
www.servicewomen.org
Memorial services are as follows:
Friday August 3, 2018 at 1:30pm
Funeral Mass
Most Holy Trinity Catholic Chapel
United States Military Academy
West Point, NY
Inurnment with Military Honors following Funeral Mass
Old Cadet Chapel
West Point Cemetery
United States Military Academy
West Point, NY
Saturday August 4, 2018 at 5:00pm
Memorial Service and Celebration of Life
Cherry Valley Country Club
125 Country Club Drive
Skillman, NJ 08558
