Ellen Mary Gilmartin

Ellen Mary Gilmartin (nee Fields), 86, of Durham, NC passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, February 27, 2020 at UNC Hospital in the loving presence of her daughters. Ellen was born ineewark, NJ, daughter to the late Harry and Mary Fields (nee Gilmartin) on April 7, 1933. Ellen is survived by her three daughters Marion Morrison, MD (nee Keckeissen) and husband Matthew of Raleigh, NC; Robin Conway (nee Keckeissen) and husband Jeff of Chapel Hill, NC; and Diane Moore (nee Keckeissen) and husband Vince of Durham, NC. She was a loving grandmother (???G-Ma???) to 9 grandchildren Katelyn Olson (nee Morrison) and husband Timothy, Matthew Morrison, Ryan Conway, Patrick Conway, Mark Morrison, Mackenna Moore, Colleen Moore (deceased), Aneew Morrison, and Christopher Morrison. She is predeceased by her mother Mary Gilmartin Fields; her brothers Eugene Hayes and Harvey Fields; her son Robert Allingtoneeckeissen; and her granddaughter Colleen Donovan Moore. During her professional life, Elleneedicated herself to the maneement of a thriving New Jersey law firm (The Law Offices of Roy H. Binder and Associates) until she moved to North Carolina in 1996. Throughout her life she enjoyed many hobbies including sewing, stained glass, and gardening, but above all, Ellen loved to dance. At a very early age, and through her Irish heritage, she was introduced to the jig and step dancing which inspired a lifelong interest in all forms of dance. She quickly became a highly sought-after ballroom dance partner, cultivating many lifelong friends who shared her passioneellen continued to dance her way into her senior years. She eventually had to give up dancing due to the onset of atrial fibrillation, and to help others afflicted with the same condition, she created and until her death continued to lead an online ???a fib??? support group that is now recogneed globally. In addition, after her move to North Carolina to be closer to her children, she remained very active ineer community of Five Oaks in Durham, NC initiating multiple social events and activities that quickly became traditions, and her lasting influence has helped to shape the personality of the community she so loved. The family will greet friends on Saturday, March 7, 2020 from 3-5pm at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, 1113 W. Main Street, Durham, NC 27701. All are also welcome to attend and celebrate Ellen???s life on March 28, 2020 from 2-6pm at Five Oaks Club, 5109 Pine Cone Drive, Durham, NC 27707. As we celebrate her life well lived, it was Ellen???s wish that in lieu of flowers, donations canee made to the Me Fine Foundation ineemory of her granddaughter, Colleen (318 Blackwell St, Suite 130, Durham, NC 27701 https://www.mefinefoundation.org/donee/) There will be Dancing ineeaven Today There will be dancing ineeaven today There was no pain, just a peaceful goodbye as our precious loved one flew up to the heavens and into the sky I caneee her there standing with her beautiful wings Surrounded by family, where everyone sings So, there will be dancing ineeaven today She did not die, she just passed away So, do not be sad for this isn't the end As we were promised, we will all meet again. by Marilyn McKnight