Ellen Major BRIDGEWATER TWP. -- Ellen Major passed away on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 at McCarrick Care Center, Somerset. She was 102. Born Dec. 15, 1906 in Jersey City, she was the daughter of Vencenza and Vittorio Fiorentino. The family moved to Staten Island in 1920 to escape the epidemic of influenza in the city. After finishing school, Ellen was a seamstress in New York City with a second job as one of the first ushers at the Paramount Theater in St. George, Staten Island. It was there she met Walter Shaw Major. Ellen and Walter were married on Feb. 10, 1934. The Majors moved to Pottstown, Pa. at the beginning of World War II where Walter found work with an airplane parts manufacturer, and Ellen reared their two daughters. At the end of the war, the family moved to Bridgewater. Except for several years in New Port Richey, Fla. and Oxford, Ellen resided in Bridgewater. She was the fifth resident to move into the Centerbridge One senior complex in Bridgewater. Ellen and Walter loved to travel, and after his death, Ellen continued to travel with the Bridgewater Seniors Club, family and friends. She loved to crochet and when arthritis made that impossible, she turned to reading. She loved all types of books, but mysteries were her favorites. She enjoyed spending time with her family, going out to dinner and loved being a grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and all those who knew and loved her. Her husband of 34 years died earlier, as did her granddaughter Jennifer Kreis; her sisters, Erminia Cerone, Adeline Cenci and Amalia Ricotta; and her brother, Dante Fiorentino. Surviving her are her daughters Patricia Metzler and husband Howard of Branchburg, and Barbara Conner and husband Harold of Pattenburg; four grandchildren, Allan Metzler and wife Carolyn, Cynthia Nileski and husband Robert, Sharon Richa, and Christopher Conner and wife Jennifer; and eight great-grandchildren, Anthony and Amanda Kreis, Gabrielle and Mansour Richa, Stephanie and Kimberly Nileski, and Zachary and Andrew Conner. A Mass of Christian Burial was said Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 9:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 35 Mountain Ave., Somerville. Interment followed at the New Cemetery, Somerville. Visiting hours were Monday, Feb. 9, 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. at Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Ave., Somerville. Memorial donations can be made to McCarrick Care Center, 15 Dellwood Lane, Somerset 08873 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. http://www.nj.com/hunterdon/index.ssf/2009/02/hunterdon_obituaries_posted_we_15.html#more