Elinor Buschell Shinn

Elinor Buschell Shinn Ellie, as she was affectionately known by the many who knew and loved her, passed away peacefully in the Wall Township home of her daughter Melanie and son-in-law, Bob this past April 23rd at age 87. Born February 13, 1932, Ellie spent her early childhood in Jersey City, NJ until her parents, John and Anna Buschell settled in West Orange, NJ. She attended West Orange High School, graduating in 1950. She married Kenneth J. Shinn in 1951 and the two went on to raise four children together before divorcing after 32 years in 1983. Kenneth J. Shinn, Sr. died September 25, 2015. Ellie spearheaded the "Block Parent Program" back in the 1960's while residing in Brick, NJ. After relocating to Sea Girt, NJ IN 1971, she became involved in residential real estate, earning herself an award as a Top Listing Agent based out of the Sea Girt office of Weichert, Realtors in the 1980's. One of her fondest, work-related memories was being employed by her friends, Linda and Cosmo Scardino, in sales and marketing for Weddings/Banquets at the Breakers On The Ocean in Spring Lake, NJ. Ellie led a very active social life, enjoying Tennis, Golf, Travel and Dining with family and friends. She continued to maintain a number of friendships from her days back in West Orange, NJ. Ellie played an active role in orchestrating her West Orange High School Class Reunions in her later years. An extremely devoted mother of four and at all times proud of her Italian Heritage, not a Sunday went by in the Shinn home without the "Traditional Sunday gravy/sauce." Elinor was predeceased by her parents, John and Anna Buschell, her sister, Janet Waldron and her sister, Barbara Petitto. Surviving are her sons, Kenneth J. Shinn, Jr., Spring Lake, NJ and Timothy H. Shinn of Sea Girt, NJ. Two daughters, Maryellen Shinn, Tequesta, FL., and Melanie T. Shinn and her husband, Robert Wood, Jr. of Wall Township, NJ. Eight grandchildren, Michael, Amanda and Thomas (TJ) Shinn along with Sophia, Peter and Anthony Shinn, Zachary DeFranco and fianc Crista Oberkirch and Talia DeFranco, as well as two great-grandchildren Madison and Norah DeFranco. She is also survived by her sister Lauretta Manupelli, San Antonio, TX, and many nieces and nephews. Services are private at the request of the decedent. The family asks that you remember her in your own special way.