Birth date: Sep 19, 1948 Death date: Aug 25, 2023
Ellen Kornfield daughter of William & Shirley Ross from Newark, New Jersey, born on September 19th, 1948 passed away on August 25th, 2023 just 17 days after her beloved husband Paul Kornfield passed. Ellen resided in their home wi Read Obituary
Mrs. Kornfield was my 3rd grade teacher and she was my FAVORITE. She was stern but very fun loving. I had many opportunities to have lunch with her and Mrs. Pat Zell and enjoyed every moment with them. She has ALWAYS been in my thoughts. Rest in Peace Sweet Lady- Sincerly Dashedah Philando
If it wasn’t for Ellen, I don’t know where my career would have gone. I started teaching Michael’s class of 3 year olds at Toddler Tech. When Joella Good Elementary opened, Ellen told me about an opening. I didn’t follow up. A few weeks later, she reminded me of the position, and the fact that I didn’t make contact. Now, another position was available. She told me to bring in some of the activities I had done with the kids, who were now 4-5 years old. When Mrs. Jaworski called to tell me that I was being hired, I laid on the floor and cried, partially from joy and partially from total panic!! I retired in 2021. I will forever be indebted to her!!
Mrs. Kornfield was the greatest teacher I have ever had or met. She was my third grade teacher in 1995 at Joella C. Good elementary and below are just a few memories I have from my 9 year old perspective….
- In third grade I burned my right hand badly on a stove. She taught me to write with my left since she was left handed and accepted all my squibilly writing for months!
- She had the most beautiful nails and hair, always dressed impeccably.
- She made learning fun! She would use posters with Disney song lyrics to teach us to read! To this day I know every word to “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas.
- She made me LOVE reading! She really helped esol kids flourish!!
- She had us do fun projects! For years I would make everything from Plaster of Paris.
- She made us feel safe and loved!
- She made our class a family and I still keep in touch with many of my third grade friends!
- She let us have a class pet! Not many teachers opted for this. We had a hamster.. it had babies…one day there were less babies.. she had to explain that and she did that in the most innocent and beautiful way.
- She sat me next to my third grade crush! She knew everything!
- She moved me away when he was no longer my crush and he annoyed me.
-I named all my dolls some version of the name Ellen!
- She was intuitive and intelligent! We were in aw of her!
- Our parents loved her! Trusted her completely!
- She gave the biggest, warmest hugs!
Most importantly she was so impactful that she is the reason I am a THIRD grade teacher today! I only hope I can be at least a fraction of the beautiful person and educator she was.
I know she is seated at the right hand of God like the angel she is.
Thank you Mrs. Kornfield for blessing so many with your love!
-Jessica (Ochoa) Liguez
Ellen was very instrumental in my career. I did much of my internship with her at Joella C. Good Elementary, and quickly became a “Kornfield Kid”. Ellen would take time to check on me long after I graduated and started teaching, and often invited her “daughters” (those of us who she had mentored) out to lunch. Although the years and obligations separated us, Ellen’s mentorship remained my compass throughout my career. May she rest in peace as she is united with Paul and her loved ones who left before her…and our loving Father in heaven.
