Ellen Grace (White) Jeffrey, 79, of Southbury, died peacefully on December 10, at Danbury Hospital after a brief illness.

Ellen was born April 17, 1941, in Jersey City, N.J., daughter of the late Willard and Marguerite (Berrian) White. She was the beloved wife of Douglas Jeffrey.

Ellen graduated from Wagner College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology in 1963. She completed graduate work in education from the University of Bridgeport. Ellen was a passionate educator who taught fifth and sixth grades in Bridgeport and Newtown public schools for a total of 37 years.

Ellen was an advocate for animals and volunteered for several years at local animal shelters. She was an avid reader who belonged to area book clubs with her many friends and fellow educators. She was also a diehard New York Yankees fan.

In addition to Douglas, her husband of 33 years, she is survived by her sister, Elizabeth (White) Fox, and her husband, Dana J. Fox, of North Carolina; her nephew David Kuhla and his wife, Diane, of Washington, D.C.; nephew Michael Kuhla of Woodbury; and niece, Kathleen (Kuhla) Singley, and her husband, Paul, of Naugatuck. She was a loving aunt to her niece and nephews and their children (Tessa and J.R. Singley, and Elle Kuhla).

She was a stepmother to Jim Jeffrey and his wife, Sarah; John Jeffrey and his wife, Amy; and Jodi (Jeffrey) Blumenfield and her husband, Barry; and was step-grandmother to their children, Brian, Paul, Carter, Jessica, Ian, Evan, and Emma Jeffrey; and Rob (Jeffrey), and Emily and May Blumenfield.

All services are private. There will be a celebration of her life later in 2021.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Ellen’s memory, donations can be made to Southbury Animal Control, 501 Main Street South, Southbury CT 06488.

Arrangements were entrusted to Munson-Lovetere Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence please visit munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.