Eleanor Anne Migge, née Gorman, passed away peacefully into eternal life on September 23, 2026, leaving behind a family who adored her and a lifetime of memories that will be cherished forever. She was born on August 11, 1937 at her home of 6904 Fort Hamilton Parkway in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and she was the youngest daughter of Charles and Margaret (Daisy) Gorman.
Ellie, as she liked to be called, attended St. Ephrem’s Grammar School. She graduated in 1955 from St. Brendan’s Diocesan High School, a highly regarded school whose students were admitted on scholarship. After high school, her father wanted her to go to college, but she wanted to go to work. The day after she graduated high school, she went to work for Morgan Guaranty from 1955 to 1961.
She met Thomas Migge in 1957 at a dance or, as they affectionately call it, a “rat race” at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. They married on November 26, 1960 at St. Ephrem’s Church. For their 65th anniversary, they took a trip to Bay Ridge where they revisited St Ephrem’s, the movie theater they shared their first date, and the apartment they shared at 9701 Shore Road.
Ellie left Morgan Guaranty when her son Thomas was born in 1961. She had two more sons, William and Edward, who were born in 1963 and 1966. In August of 1970, they moved to Tappan, where their daughter Michele was born later that year. Ellie and Tom have remained in that same house for 56 years where they created beautiful memories with their children.
In 1978, she returned to work for Banker’s Trust which ultimately became Union State Bank, where she rose to the rank of Assistant Vice President. She took great pride in her work and relationships with colleagues, and often entertained her family with countless work stories over dinner. She retired in 2002 to help babysit her grandchildren, which forged a very special relationship between “Mema” and her grandkids.
Just as she did for her own children, Mema rarely missed any of her grandchildren’s events. Her steady presence had others regard her as their honorary Mema too. As her family’s number one fan, she gave constant support through hours spent chatting on the phone and nights spent waiting up for a car or plane to arrive safely at its destination. Despite being a prolific reader, she suffered from book amnesia; however, she never failed to remember birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions, always acknowledging them with a card and generous gift. Mema was the memory keeper of her family, and could recall so many details of the events of our lives. She also said the rosary daily for the people close to her and those in need of spiritual support.
Eleanor is survived by her husband of almost 66 years, Thomas; son Thomas Jr. and his partner Adeline Pietro; son William and his wife Eileen and their children Billy (Kim) and Jessica (JP); son Ed and his wife Deborah and their children Julia and Lauren; and daughter Michele and her husband Joseph and their children T.J., Kayla, Cristina, and John. She was predeceased by her father Charles, her mother Margaret, her brothers Jack, Bill, and Charley, and her sister Audrey. Ellie’s greatest joy was her family. She took immense pride in her children and grandchildren and treasured every opportunity to be together. Her love, laughter, unwavering faith, and unmistakable presence will remain with them always.
Visiting Hours: 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at Pizzi Funeral Home, Northvale, New Jersey
Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, Tappan, New York
Burial: Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, New York
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