Ellen Matilda Cummins, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, on August 29, 1928, passed away at 96 on March 21, 2025, in Tacoma, Washington. She was the youngest of 15 to William and Mary Ann Cummins.

Growing up she went through many things. She was the 1st house with electricity on the block. In 1941, she survived the German air raids, which were referred to as the Belfast Blitz. She joined the British Army and served for 6 ½ years, where she became a sergeant in communications and, believe it or not, played on a basketball team.

In 1953, she boarded a ship and went across the Atlantic Ocean, and landed at Ellis Island. She traveled across the US to start a new life with the help of her sister in Washington state. Shortly after arriving, she met Allen Carver on a blind date and found the love of her life. They married in 1954 and had four children.

She enjoyed bowling, being on three teams a week: a mixed league with Allen and a couple of women's leagues. As usual with everything, she excelled, earning many trophies, pins, and patches. She loved sewing and crafting, selling her creations, and giving the proceeds to St. Jude. She loved camping, discovering the many beautiful spots of our country.

She was a very independent woman, speaking her mind and keeping busy. She was a great mother, always involved in her children's endeavors. She joined the PTA and Grange, where she was the Sunshine Lady, always there for people needing an uplifting visit and flowers.

She was hardworking; along with running the household, she worked as the neighborhood Avon lady, prepared food for airlines, was the receptionist for Allen's business, sold elephant ears at the Puyallup Fair, and worked for the Will family, where she was more than a housekeeper, house sitter, and dog sitter; she developed a close friendship with Mrs. Will.

Later in life, she was able to find another chance in love with Bobby Smith, marrying in 2001. They continued their camping adventures together.

She always enjoyed the time she was able to spend with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Her Irish accent drew everybody in and made you just want to sit there and listen, but you fell in love with her because you got to know the loving, generous woman she was. She will be missed by all.

Ellen is preceded in death by Bobby Smith (husband), Allen Carver (husband), Gloria Daniels (daughter), her parents William and Mary Ann Cummins, and her 14 siblings.

She is survived by her children Debra Bauer (John), Michael Carver (Theresa), and Donna Stewart (Bob); her grandchildren Aleena Bauer (Robert Mitchell), Matthew Wilcoxen, Cheryl Wilcoxen, Andrew Carver (Tiffany), and Allen Carver; her great-grandchildren Phebe (Scott), Karlye, Michael, Mariah, Violet, Brenden, and Brooklyn; her great-great-grandchildren Samson, AnnaLisa, and Winry; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation in her name to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/).

Graveside Services will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11:00 am, with a viewing in the Evergreen Chapel beginning one hour prior, at 10:00 am, to the service:
New Tacoma Cemeteries and Funeral Home
9212 Chambers Creek Road West
University Place, WA 98467

Celebration of Life will follow at 2:00 pm at Southside Baptist Church, 626 South 86th Street, Tacoma, Washington 98444.