Ellen Eisen

Ellen (Lieber) Eisen, a lifelong resident of Livingston, New Jersey, passed away Sunday, August 22, at her home in Livingston after a fierce battle with cancer. She was 56.

Ellen was born in the Bronx on November 28, 1964, the first of two children of Murray and Ruth Anne Lieber. Shortly after she was born, Murray and Ruth Anne moved to Livingston, where Ellen lived for her entire life. She graduated from Livingston High School in 1982, and attended Boston University, where she earned a bachelor of science in marketing in 1986. Following college, Ellen worked in the fashion industry for a few firms, including the Dana Buchman division of Liz Claiborne.

Shortly after college graduation, Ellen was set up on a blind date with Howard (“H.B.”) Eisen by mutual college friends. They married on September 2, 1990, at the Livingston Country Club in Livingston. They settled in Ellen’s hometown of Livingston where they raised their three children just 1 mile from her childhood home in which her parents continued to live until 2018.

Ellen’s greatest loves were her children, animal rescue, and entertaining. She adored being a mom more than anything, and was consistently involved in the Mount Pleasant Elementary and Middle School communities. She set strong examples of working for what you want by requiring Melissa, Seth and Brett to find part time work from middle school onward.

Animals in general, but rescue dogs in particular, were Ellen’s second genuine love. She adopted, helped find homes for, and indirectly helped through her support of rescue organizations dozens of animals. And her backyard parties in the summer and bar nights in the winter will live on in the hearts and memories of so many.

Ellen is survived by her husband of 31 years, H.B.; their children, Melissa, Seth and Brett; her mother, Ruth Anne Lieber; her brother and sister-in-law, Jonathan and Danielle Lieber, and her nieces and nephews, Alexandra Lieber, Brooke Lieber, Leonard Eisen, Sierra Eisen and Rachel Kullman. She is also survived by Libby, Cooper, Georgie, Harley and Pickles – her current herd of rescue dogs and cats.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, August 24, at the Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston. Donations in Ellen’s memory may be made to any of the following: Rosemary’s Rescue Ranch (https://www.rosemariesrescueranch.com/), the Ellen’s Army Cycle For Survival team (http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/ellensarmy), or Livingston First Aid Squad (www.lfas.org).