COOPERSTOWN – Ellen H. Sanford, a life-long area resident who will be greatly missed by her family, friends and community, peacefully entered into eternal life in the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Chase Memorial Nursing Home in New Berlin following a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 83.
Born August 7, 1943, in Utica, Ellen was
one of three daughters of Dr. Lysle Nelson Harrington and Agnes “Peg” née
Underwood Harrington.
For many years she taught 4th
and 5th grades at Edmeston Central School.
Ellen is survived by her loving husband of
26 years, John W. Sanford III, of Cooperstown; her daughter, Elisabeth
Smith-Price and husband, Kevin of Otego; her son, Peter Smith and wife, Kim of
Burlington Flats; a granddaughter, Sydney Smith and wife, Erin; a sister, Nancy
Harrington Booth of Brooklyn, CT; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by former husbands
Stephen William Smith III in 1992 and Ralph E. Chamberlain in 1999, and a
sister, Janet Agnes Harrington Hall in 2017.
Calling hours will be held from 4-6 p.m.
Friday, September 4, 2026, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home,
82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown.
The Office of the Burial of the Dead will
be offered at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Christ Church,
Cooperstown, with the Rev’d Nathan P. Ritter, Rector officiating. Immediately
following the service in the church, Ellen will be laid to rest in The
Ecumenical Columbarium in the church-yard.
Arrangements are under the care and
guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
