Ellen (Tinapp) Hoover

SALISBURY ­— Ellen (Tinapp) Hoover, 83, passed away quietly at her home at Noble Horizons on Oct. 24, 2009. She was the former wife of James B. Hoover Jr. She was predeceased by her beloved longtime companion of 30 years, Lt. Raymond J. Grosskopf of Teaneck, N.J., and Lakeville.

She was the daughter of the late Myra (Rose) and G. William Tinapp.

Ellen held many jobs during a long career, and worked at the Teaneck, N.J., police department for many years.

She attended Bergen Community College and Fairleigh Dickinson University as an adult student, graduating with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. She started yet another career as the owner/operator of the Covered Bridge Cafe in West Cornwall; and later, in partnership with her son, David, at the Hotel Shop in Torrington.

She retired at age 81 from Noble Horizons, where she worked as the front desk receptionist.

A lifelong volunteer, Ellen gave freely of her time both in Bergen County, N.J., and also to various Litchfield County charitable organizations, among them the Northwestern Connecticut AIDS Project, OWL’s Kitchen, The Hotchkiss School art gallery and archives, and  Women’s Support Services.  

An avid traveler in her later years, Ellen toured on six of the seven continents, and often regaled her friends and family with stories of her travels.

She is survived by her children, E. Pamela Dove, James B. Hoover III, Denise Bate, Margaret Richardson and David John Hoover; her grandchildren, Jennie Rose Poidomani, Anna Hoover Selleck, Benjamin Hoover, Jessica Bate, Joshua Bate and Samantha Bate; and her brother, Dr. A. Richard Tinapp and his family. She also is survived by her much loved cat, Teddi.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to Women’s Support Services, PO Box 341, Sharon, CT 06069 and OWL’s Kitchen, PO Box 153, Lakeville, CT 06039.

A memorial service will be held at St. Luke’s Chapel at Noble Horizons on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. A reception will immediately follow the service.  

Arrangements are under the care of the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home in North Canaan.