Ellen Kieran Hagan was born in the tiny village of Drumass, Inniskeen, County Monaghan, Ireland on September 28th, 1920. She was the daughter of Rose and Michael Kieran and one of seven children. She grew up in a two room Irish cottage and worked alongside her family on their farm. It was there that she was first instilled with the virtues and dignity to be found in hard and honest work, virtues that stayed with her throughout her long life.
At the age of 19, word came from America that her beloved Aunt Mary Breen, who emigrated from Ireland earlier, had saved enough money to sponsor one of the Kieran children to take up a new life with her in New York. Despite her love for home, Ellen eagerly embraced the opportunity. She later recalled being told that the streets of New York were paved with gold and the young girls were all attired in silk dresses. And so she said a melancholy but confident farewell to Inniskeen and followed in the footsteps of so many before her in sailing “across the broad Atlantic” to the shores of America.
Ellen quickly acclimated to her exciting new life on the West Side of Manhattan and loved to attend the Irish dances that were so prevalent then. But she soon discovered that no gold bricks were to be found on the streets of the City and so she found employment as a cashier in the Schrafft’s restaurant chain. There she put to good use her lifelong skill at managing money. Her sharp brain was always a good match for even the most modern computer!
It was at Schrafft’s that she soon caught the eye of a fellow employee. John Hagan was a handsome red-haired Irishman, himself the child of Irish immigrants. The romance soon blossomed and they were wed on June 11th, 1949.
John and Ellen settled down on East 76th Street in Manhattan, eventually bringing with them Ellen’s beloved Aunt Mary, who she was lovingly devoted to until her passing in 1966. Their family grew to include their two sons and a daughter, making for a very happy life indeed.
Sadly, in 1968 tragedy struck with John’s sudden and unexpected passing at the age of 46. Despite her devastation, Ellen’s deeply religious faith never waivered, and she prayed to find a way to somehow carry on her life. Shortly thereafter, that way came when she was offered the opportunity to work for the Parish of Saint Jean Baptiste. She was employed first in the office of Saint Anne’s Shrine and later as the Parish Secretary, a position she held with great pride until retiring (with some measure of hesitation) at age 95. She cherished her wonderful relationship with the Saint Jean Baptiste Parish Community, where she attained iconic status and where she will always be loved and admired.
In her legendary career as Parish Secretary, Ellen had the honor of meeting such celebrities as former President Nixon, former Prime Minister Tony Blair, the singer Bono, her dear friend Cardinal O’Connor, and so many famous celebrities from around the world. She also would be visited daily by the hungry and destitute seeking assistance from the hardships of life. No matter their station in life, Ellen treated everyone she met with the same dignity and respect. She neither bowed down to anyone nor looked down on anyone, and she had no use for arrogance or pretense.
Ellen was predeceased by her beloved husband, parents and siblings. Left to cherish her memory are her children, John, Edward (Karen) and Roseanne Hagan-Laverty (Patrick); her grandchildren, Daniel Hagan, Erin McNamara (Patrick) and Eileen Laverty, and her many nieces, nephews, and their families, in America, Ireland and England.
In lieu of flowers, Ellen would have greatly appreciated contributions to her beloved Shrine of Saint Anne at Saint Jean Baptiste Church.
To donate to St. Anne’s Shrine in honor of Ellen Hagan, please make a check payable to Eglise St. Jean Baptiste and note on the check
Ellen/St. Anne
Send to: St. Jean Baptiste Att: Lennix Lewis 184 East 76th Street New York, NY
