KENNEBUNK – Ellen Elizabeth Spiller Fagan, born June 22, 1924 in Kennebunk, passed away peacefully at her home on March 1, 2024.

Ellen was the daughter of Carle A. and Laura (Knight) Spiller of Kennebunk, and the beloved wife of Martin F. Fagan, Sr. Hers was a life well lived.

Ellen was a 1943 graduate of Kennebunk High School and a 1947 graduate of Sargent College of Boston University where she received a B.S. and M.A. Ellen’s first teaching position was at Rockville High School in Rockville, Conn., where she met a handsome history teacher, Martin F. Fagan, whom she would marry in 1948. Ellen taught physical education, coached basketball, and was an advisor for the class of 1949.

When their children, Susan and Martin, were born, Ellen became a stay-at-home mother and a very involved community member. She was a member of the Union Congregational Church in Rockville, Conn., as well as the Vernon Historical Society. Above all, she continued to be actively involved in Rockville High School where her husband spent the rest of his career. Through the years, she loved to attend the concerts and games at the school and to chaperone events with her husband. In later years, they cheered on their grandsons in all of their endeavors. Their home was always an open and welcoming gathering place for family and friends of all ages.

Ellen and Martin thoroughly enjoyed playing golf together. For many years they were members of Skungamaug River Golf Club in Coventry, Conn. When they retired to Kennebunk, they joined Webhannet Golf Club where Ellen continued to play into her 99th year! She especially loved supporting and inspiring younger golfers who admired her spirit, and she was grateful to the end for the kindnesses extended to her by her Webhannet friends. To say that Ellen lived her life to the fullest is an understatement. During the winter, she enjoyed playing golf in Marco Island, Fla. with her special friends there. Family and friends of all ages will remember her kindness and wit. In spite of losing her mother when Ellen was very young and her husband, son, son-in-law and close friends later in life, Ellen maintained a strong faith and a positive spirit.

Ellen was predeceased by her husband, Martin Fagan, Sr.; and her son, Martin Fagan, Jr.

She is survived by a daughter, Susan Cressey, a daughter-in-law, Cindy Fagan; and her beloved sister, Jean Spiller Perkins. Ellen was blessed with four grandsons whom she adored, Brian (Christine) Cressey, Eric (Anna) Cressey, Christopher (Lauren) Fagan, and Kevin (Jessica) Fagan. She lived to attend their graduations and weddings and to meet their children. Every family member, including the great-grandchildren, Hannah, Nolan, Lydia, Addison, and Teagan Cressey and Martin, Henry, Forrest, Isabelle, and Zoe Fagan, had a hand-knit Christmas stocking made by Ellen. She leaves a cousin, Bill (Anna) Spiller; niece, Carol (John) Dickinson, nephews David (Becky) McCullough, Kevin (Nancy) Fagan, and Tim (Wanda) Fagan.

A celebration of Ellen’s long and wonderful life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, at South Congregational Church, North Street, Kennebunkport.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence please visit Ellen’s Book of Memories Page at http://www.bibberfuneral.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043.

Memorial donations may be made in her memory to

Hospice of Southern Maine,

390 U.S. Route One,

Scarborough, ME 04074

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