Obituary of Cindy L. Ellman

Cindy Lou Ellman passed away suddenly at her home on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. She was a lifelong resident of Denville, and had shared 67 years of unconditional love, infectious laughter, and unforgettable memories with family and friends.

Born in Denville on March 24, 1959, Cindy was the beloved daughter of the late Jack Ackerman and Carolyn (Sites) Milligan. Cindy grew up attending Main Street School, Lakeview Elementary School, Valleyview Middle School and Morris Knolls High School before earning her Bachelor’s Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She had a long career in finance and executive administration at both Warner Lambert and Ayco Company (a division of Goldman Sachs). Currently, Cindy worked as an administrative assistant and receptionist for Healey Development LLC in Madison.

More than anything, Cindy was devoted to her family. She raised her children in the town she loved, giving them not only a beautiful childhood, but a strong foundation for life. She worked tirelessly to provide for them, teaching them resilience, independence, compassion, and how to embrace life fully and fearlessly. She knew when to keep her children grounded, and when to encourage them to break the rules just enough to discover themselves and the world around them.

Cindy found joy in life’s simple and beautiful moments. She loved cooking and was wonderful at it, always bringing people together through food, laughter, and love. She loved the outdoors, camping adventures, annual trips to Sandy Hook, sunshine on her face, concerts, festivals, and classic rock music. She was a true free spirit — a flower child at heart — vibrant, welcoming, fun-loving, and extraordinary. Cindy was a social butterfly whose warmth and energy made everyone around her feel at home.

She also had a deep love for gardening and flowers. Her yard bloomed with beautiful gardens that she cared for lovingly, often picking flowers to share with those she loved. That was Cindy — thoughtful, nurturing, and endlessly giving in even the smallest gestures. Her porch became a well-known sanctuary; the local chipmunks, squrriels, and birds all knew exactly where to find the best meal and the warmest welcome in the neighborhood.

Her greatest joy in recent years was being “Memaw” to her adored granddaughters, Aubrey and Addison. She cherished every moment spent with them, spoiling them with love, laughter, and memories they will carry forever. Every Thursday was an adored day for the girls, who loved spending time with Memaw doing arts and crafts, trips to the zoo, playing dress-up and going outside. Their faces lit up every time they saw her, as did hers when the girls came over to visit.

Cindy will live in the hearts of her beloved family; her adored daughter, Jessica Bullock and her husband Jonathan of Wantage; her cherished son, Brian Ellman and his fiancée Chloe Kempf of Andover; her treasured granddaughters, Aubrey and Addison Bullock; her loving sisters, Sherri Mazzola and her husband Steve, Debbie Dowd, and Lorie Furth; her caring Milligan "sisters", Penny and Robin; her best friend, Daryn Cashin and her husband John; as well as many dear nieces, nephews, a great-niece, great-nephews, extended family members, friends and even animals, whose lives she touched deeply. Cindy was predeceased by her mother, Carolyn Milligan, her father, Jack Ackerman and her Step-father, Howard Milligan, who was a father figure to her for nearly 50 years. 

Though her passing leaves an unimaginable void, Cindy’s love, spirit, laughter, and light will continue to live on in the countless lives she shaped and the memories she created. She will be missed beyond words and loved forever.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Cindy’s life on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ 07834. Prayer Service will begin at 7:30 pm.

Please leave a condolence, light a candle, or share your favorite memory of Cindy here to continue honoring her beautiful life and letting her light shine on.