Ellen Teresa Ensign Ciampa

With great affection, we celebrate the life of Ellen Teresa Ensign Ciampa of Saratoga Springs, New York, who passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at the age of 80. At the time of her passing, Ellen was in hospice care at the Wesley Health Care Center, surrounded by loving family, friends, and caregivers. 

Born on November 25, 1944, in Mason City, Iowa, Ellen was the daughter of the late David T. Ensign and Teresa Stackpool Ensign of Hudson, New York. 

Ellen grew up in rural Claverack, New York with her parents and younger brother David T. Ensign, Jr.  She attended the St. Mary’s Academy for elementary and high school. Ellen had a strong aptitude for math and literature, and her mother was also a Math teacher at the school.

Ellen embarked on her undergraduate studies at the College of New Rochelle in 1963.  Her favorite memories from that time were taking the Metro-North to Manhattan’s theater district to get last-minute discounted tickets to Broadway shows.  In particular, she relished getting to see Barbara Streisand as Fanny Brice in the original Broadway production of Funny Girl. 

In the fall of 1964, Ellen transferred to Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York where she earned her Bachelor of Arts, graduating with summa cum laude honors in June 1966.

After graduation, Ellen enjoyed working with developmentally disabled children at Rome State School, prompting her to pursue a Masters in Social Work from Boston College. 

It was there, under the tutelage of Jesuit priests, that Ellen experienced a sea change that expanded her worldview and belief system.  For the first time in her education, her instructors did not demand rote memorization, but rather cultivated analytical and philosophical exploration of religious and ethical questions of faith and culture.  As Ellen said, it was the first time she felt permission to think for herself.  Ellen referred to those years as “Gradual School”, and when asked why by her daughters, Ellen said it was because it helped her gradually leave her studies and the Church. 

On Sundays, when her children were school age, Ellen took them to usher plays at Cohoes Musical Hall, where they would get to see the shows for free. Ellen and the whole family were devoted theater fans and attended countless high school, college, community, and regional theater productions all over upstate New York and Massachusetts.  The family took occasional day trips to Manhattan for last-minute matinee tickets to Broadway shows at the TKTS booth in Times Square.

When her children were older, Ellen taught at the Katrina Trask Nursery School in Saratoga Springs, where she nurtured and guided countless young minds as a Pre-K teacher.  At home during that time, Ellen also took care of her elderly father, known to her children as Pas, and adored by the whole family.

Ellen later worked at the Humor Project and the Prevention Council.  In 2006, Ellen temporarily moved to Brooklyn for nine months to help her daughter Susan, then 28, navigate a cancer diagnosis and treatment.  A cancer survivor herself, Ellen was Susan’s Caregiver Extraordinaire.

Ellen had a remarkable gift for listening and was known as a trusted source of knowledge and support, especially regarding healthcare.  Ellen was an ardent lover of animals, having grown up with her father as a veterinarian and her family taking in many rescue animals that wandered onto their property. 

Perhaps Ellen’s greatest love was reading.  She made weekly visits to the local library, frequented author talks and events at area colleges and arts institutions, and she couldn’t resist used book sales.  Anywhere she went, Ellen always had a book on hand in case of waits and unexpected delays, especially at various doctors’ offices.  Two of her favorite authors were James Herriot and Joyce Carol Oates. 

In addition to her lifelong curiosity and passion for learning, Ellen was a devoted caregiver and fierce advocate for herself and others.        

Ellen is survived by her beloved husband, Thomas D. Ciampa and his faithful companion Skipper, a Chihuahua Terrier Mix; her brother, David T. Ensign Jr.; her daughters, Emily Kenna and Susan Ciampa; her grandchildren Liam Kenna and Cara Kenna. She also leaves behind many dear friends who will miss her deeply.

Ellen was predeceased by her parents as well as her nephews, Jason and Daniel Ensign, both of whom had Cystic Fibrosis and passed too young.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Ellen’s life at a funeral service on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY. Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  As Ellen would say, all are welcome and none are required.

A graveside service will be held at 12:00 noon on Monday, February 24, 2025 at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellen’s memory may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the charity of your choice, and are much appreciated.

Condolences may be shared online at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.