Ellen C. Griffin

Ellen Carey Griffin died peacefully at her home on Hilton Head Island, surrounded by family and friends, on August 20, 2025.

Ellen was born in Baltimore, Maryland on January 27, 1956. She was the daughter of William Patrick Griffin and Denise O’Connor Griffin.

Ellen grew up in Easton, Maryland and attended school at Easton High School and University of Maryland. She caught the flying bug from her father, who was a private pilot, and she learned to fly from various instructors at Easton Airport. After attaining her commercial instrument rating and her seaplane rating, she began flying for Virgin Islands Seaplane Shuttle. After flying for VISS, she flew for a number of commuter airlines, ultimately landing her dream job of flying cargo worldwide with Flying Tigers which became FedEx. During her time flying with FedEx, she flew numerous trips around the world. Throughout her long and distinguished flying career, she flew 727s, 747s, as a captain on the MD11 and she retired as a captain on the 777.

As a result of her vast world travels, she had the opportunity to meet people from many countries and all walks of life. Ellen’s generosity knew no bounds. She opened her home and her heart to people from around the world, including French exchange students and Finnish sailing teams, just to name a few, and was always there for someone in need.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Denise. She is survived by her brother Billy and his wife Mary, of Easton, her brother Peter and his wife Terri, of Easton, and her sister Laura of Bluffton, SC. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Hannah, Ladd, Maggie, Cloe and Flynn. And, her faithful companion, Fergus the Scottish Terrier.

Ellen will be remembered for her smile, her style, her laugh, her generosity and her caring heart. She was loved and will be missed by all. There will never be another Elle! In her memory, please do something kind and helpful for someone who is struggling.

At Ellen’s request, there will be no service.

Ellen has, “slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;…”