Eleanor (Ellie) Mary Dumont Borelli

Mrs. Eleanor (Ellie) Mary Dumont Borelli, 92, passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at her residence with her devoted husband of nearly 70 years at her bedside. Ellie spent her final days with family and friends, including all 5 of her children gathered around her bed Sunday morning. The sounds of beloved hymns filling her room made Ellie’s final hour beautiful.

Ellie was a devoted wife, sister, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, friend, and servant of the Lord. She had a deep, unconditional love for her family, always sought to see the best in others, and was a welcoming presence to all who had the pleasure of meeting her. Ellie loved having her family together under one roof more than almost anything else. Her life centered around her faith and her family, and she routinely demonstrated more care for others than for herself. Early in her life, Ellie earned the nickname “Honey” due to her sweet demeanor, a nickname that stuck with her until the very end. Born in Newark, NJ on December 5, 1933, Ellie graduated from Union High School (NJ). She grew up around three brothers and was athletic and very sports-oriented. The first love of her life may have been the Brooklyn Dodgers, but she met the true love of her life, Richard F. Borelli, on a blind date, and they eventually married on June 2, 1956. Since they met, Rich and Ellie lived in utter devotion to each other and were the embodiment of two lives becoming one flesh. They purchased their first home together in South Bound Brook, New Jersey and raised their family there before moving to Clayton, North Carolina in 2002. Through her life with Rich, Ellie developed a love for camping and hiking. Ellie was an exceptional cook and an even better baker. Every family birthday was celebrated with a cake made from scratch, tailored to your preference. Ellie’s Christmas cookies were a treasure and a delight to all who received them as gifts. Her chocolate cake is legendary and her pumpkin pie was a staple at family Thanksgiving gatherings. Her yellow fruitcake was a treasure to her husband.

Ellie lived an active church life for decades and was a member of the Reformed Church of Bound Brook (NJ), the Congregational Church of Bound Brook (NJ), Covenant Presbyterian Church (Wendell, NC), Amelia Christian Church (Clayton, NC), and Wilson’s Mills Christian Church (Wilson’s Mills, NC). In addition to family and church life, Ellie spent time working as a cafeteria aide at Robert Morris School (NJ) and New Jersey Bell, The Prudential, Somerset Technologies, and Richard Hall Mental Health Center in various administrative roles.

Ellie was preceded in death by her father, Carl Dumont, Sr, her mother, Eleanor Dumont, brother Carl Dumont, Jr, and sisters-in-law, Barbara May Dumont and Barbara Jane Dumont.

Ellie is survived by her husband of 69 years, Richard F. Borelli, daughter, Debbie McGrath and her husband Jim, and sons Steven and his wife, Donna, Doug and his wife, Amy, Peter and his wife, Janna, and Richard and his wife, Stacy. Ellie’s life and memory will continue to be cherished by her brothers William Dumont and Robert Dumont (Trish). Ellie will also continue to live on in the lives of her 10 grandchildren—Meaghan, Todd, Nicole, Marc, Spencer, Krystle, Josh, Dominic, Avery and Burke—and 6 great-grandchildren: Hailey, Bella, Grayson, Luca, Peyton, and Paisley.

A memorial gathering to celebrate Ellie’s life will be held at 11 am on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Wilson’s Mills Christian Church, followed by a lunch reception.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org

Arrangements are with Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, 211 W. Third St., Wendell. www.stricklandfuneral.com