Ellis, Cindy 8/21/1953 - 2/11/2015 Muskegon After a courageous battle with ovarian cancer, Cindy Joe Ellis of Muskegon passed away at age 61 on February 11, 2015. Cindy was born on August 21, 1953 in Saginaw, MI to Joseph and Jean Hagerty and is survived by Thomas Ellis and their children: Ryan Ellis of Chicago, IL, Scott Ellis of Muskegon, MI, and Cheryl (Tony) Pierangeli of Denver, CO. Her kindness, generosity, and great love of family will live on through her children, her brothers and sisters, Joseph (Cindy) Hagerty, Bill (Linda) Hagerty, Lora Lee (Frank) Dupuis, Jerry (Paula) Ellis, Nancy (Mark) Bialik, grandchildren, Paige Ellis, Nico and Gianna Pierangeli; and many nieces and nephews. Cindy was first and foremost a mother and grandmother who was happiest when surrounded by friends and family. She loved cooking, travel, reading, long walks, movies, and watching sports. She touched the lives of many through her work, friendships and philanthropy. Over the last 30 years, Cindy served as a well-respected real estate broker and entrepreneur in the greater Muskegon area. Throughout her career, she was consistently recognized for her work ethic, leadership, and dedication to service excellence. She was an industry leader who truly valued her colleagues and clients. Cindy led by example, living a life of generosity, caring and community service. In her role as a real estate broker, she worked with the Mercy Health team to recruit over a dozen physicians to the greater Muskegon area and, in doing so, contributed to community quality of life. She served on Mercy Health's Development Council for 19 years as an outstanding volunteer and philanthropist. Cindy joined the Development Council in 1995 and served on the Annual Support Committee and the Council's Signet Society Committee. During her tenure, her leadership and philanthropy were integral in a variety of projects, including Mercy's Heart & Vascular Center's capital campaign, Birth Center expansion, new Emergency Department, the Imaging Center campaign, the Johnson Family Cancer Center campaign, and the Gift of Health Initiative. In 2007, she founded the Mercy Health "Women for Health" giving club and served as chair until 2014 when she stepped down to fight her battle with cancer. Cindy spent her last months in Brighton, MI under the tender care of her brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Cindy Hagerty, and their four children, Joseph, Kellie, Megan, and Patrick. The family will receive friends at St. Mark Lutheran Church (4475 Henry St., Norton Shores MI) on Friday, February 20 from 6:00 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, February 21 from 1:00 3:00 p.m. The service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at St. Mark, with Pastor Mark Gilson officiating. If needed, overflow parking will be available at Bridge Bible Church (5035 Henry St., Muskegon, MI) with shuttle service to St. Mark Church. For updates on parking and to share memories with the family, please visit www.sytsemafh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Mark Lutheran Church for the construction of the memorial wall. Cindy Ellis's personal and professional relationships spanning decades were a testament to her dedication, commitment and heart. She will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

Published in Muskegon Chronicle on Feb. 15, 2015