Ellen Susan Lewis

Ellen Susan Lewis, age 77, peacefully passed away on March 11, 2026. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, she was the youngest of three children. She graduated from Claymont High School in 1966 and later became the proud owner and operator of Britches and Bows Day Care, where she lovingly cared for countless children from the 1980s through the early 2000s.

Ellen had a vibrant spirit and a deep love for life. She enjoyed traveling, especially to Hawaii, and took many cruises. For years she hosted family vacations in Wildwood each summer. She cherished her animals, collected Snowbabies, and found joy in reading a good book. Known for her beautiful singing voice, she loved singing in the car while music filled her home. She taught her children to dance, sharing special moments doing the bump in the 1970s. Her house was a welcoming place filled with music, laughter, and friends. She enjoyed dancing at the Hideaway, having lunch at Woolworth’s in the Concord Mall where her friend Nellie waitressed, and was famous for her homemade meatballs and sauce at Sunday dinners that welcomed the entire neighborhood.

Ellen was predeceased by her parents, Margaret T. Graham and Albert R. Graham, and her biological father, John W. Dill Jr.; her sister, Margaret M. Lindsay; her ex-husband, Bill Lewis; her partner, Salvator Rinaldi; her son, William B. Lewis, Sr.; and her granddaughter, Logan Nicole Lewis.

She is survived by her children, Kim Rachiele (Tony), Matthew Lewis (Carol), and Teresa Rinaldi; her grandchildren, Sara, Billy, Jr., Michael, Emily, Anthony, Lilly, and Mason; her great-grandchildren, Alexandra, William, and Aiden; her brother, Albert Graham (Beth); and many nieces and nephews. Ellen will be remembered for her dedication, strong spirit, and the love she shared with family, friends, and all who knew her. Her memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved her.