Operated a daylily farm
December 28, 1932 — August 5, 2018
Ellen Epple, 85, died on August 5 in her home at Acorn Glen in Princeton surrounded by her family and her minister.
She was born in Nutley to Lucy Goldbeck Buckman Quakenbush and Martin Buckman.
Ellen owned a catering company in the Princeton area, was a member of the Blawenburg Dutch Reformed Church, and raised her family in Belle Mead.
In her retirement, Ellen and her late husband, Augustus Epple, moved from Belle Mead to Cape May County for their love of the birds and beaches, and
because of the perfect soil for growing day lilies. Together they founded, owned, and operated Dias Creek Daylily Farm for 25 years.
She was a member of the Master Gardeners, served on the Cape May County Agricultural Board, and was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cape May. More recently, Ellen served as an elder at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Stone Harbor.
Ellen was predeceased by her husband, Gus, in 2017, and by her son, David Epple, in 1979. She is survived by her sister, Ruth Matarrazo; her daughters: Robin Dunham (David S.), Claudia Epple, Jennifer Myers (Stephen), and Bernadette Sissick (Robert); her grandchildren: David, Andrea, Benjamin,
Nicholas, Ellen, Christopher, Chloe, Katelyn, and Robert; and her great granddaughter, Marion.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, September 10, at 10 am at Sunset Pavilion, 2nd and Beach avenues in Cape May. Private burial will be in the Cape May County Veterans Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Branches Episcopal Outreach Center, 9425 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor; or to the
