JoAnn “Jodi” Ellsworth
JoAnn (Jodi) Elizabeth Ellsworth was born on May 21, 1952, and was adopted by Myrtle and Bruce Ellsworth before she turned one. She grew up in Jenkintown, Pa., where she went to public school and graduated high school in 1970. She went to college at Cedar Crest College, where she met her late husband and lifelong partner, John Eldridge, who was born and raised in Westfield. The two got married in 1977. With John she had three children — Jenna, Ian and Colin — whom they raised in Westfield, N.J., with tremendous love and care. She decided to keep her maiden name in marriage, Ellsworth, and passed it on to her daughter, Jenna, while Ian and Colin inherited the Eldridge name.
Highly ambitious and intelligent, she went to graduate school at Rutgers University, earning her Masters in the German Language and Literature Department and completing the requirements for her Ph.D.
She later obtained her Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University and entered a career as a social worker in Newark, N.J. She served the nonprofit organization YCS (Youth Consultation Services) for several years, eventually becoming Senior Clinician, where she helped provide behavioral health resources for children and families in the foster care system, and worked directly with children through play therapy.
Jodi had a compassionate heart and served her community not only through her work but also through volunteering. She volunteered as a group leader at the Mothers’ Center, providing mutual support for other moms. She also volunteered at the First Congregational Church, where she taught yoga classes for adults with developmental disabilities. Jodi and her husband, John, were regular contributors for various social and environmental charities.
Jodi loved the outdoors, spending vacations with her family at the Jersey shore and at Mount Desert Island, Me. She was an animal lover, affectionately taking care of several cats throughout her adult life. She was a highly talented piano player, and she enjoyed playing classical music from the likes of Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, and more. Jodi was a certified yoga teacher, and she loved both teaching and attending yoga classes. She enjoyed reading, especially novels.
She hosted book clubs at home, and visited the town library regularly, sometimes going through multiple novels a week. She was an amazing baker, revered by her children for her famous zucchini bread and blueberry custard pie.
Jodi was tragically diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2015, shortly after her husband, John, was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma. After John passed away that same year, she remained in the house in Westfield where she raised her family, with help from her three children, extended family, and many others who knew her. She later moved to Denver, Colo., to be closer to her son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, and brother-in-law to make sure she had what she needed to live a comfortable life.
Even as her cognitive function declined, Jodi’s warmth still shone brightly, and she was a joy to be around. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren. Her motherly, affectionate and kind-hearted nature never faded. She continued to smile, laugh, and share hugs with her family and those around her. Always deeply emotionally intelligent, Jodi never lost the language of her heart. Her love and feelings were vividly expressed through her gestures, her facial expressions, and even her fragmented speech. She found joy in regular music therapy sessions, often dancing, clapping, and snapping along with the rhythm — her spirit always rejoicing with the music.
Jodi lived a happy life. Her life was a tribute to learning, helping others, and sharing life’s many joys. Jodi passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, surrounded by her children. She was loved by everyone who got to know her, and she will be greatly missed. She is survived by her daughter, two sons, three granddaughters, and one grandson. There will not be a public memorial at this time.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Prevention & Reversal Project (APRP), which addresses the root cause of Alzheimer’s disease for individuals. This foundation helps support families in need and has successfully reversed Alzheimer’s for over 3,000 patients: https:// aprpfoundation.org/donate/.
May 22, 2025
