With a heavy heart, we are sad to announce the passing of our beloved Ellen Reilly-Badome on March 24, 2022, exactly two months after her 65th birthday, which she celebrated by throwing a classic “Go Big or Go Home” Ellen-style party. Ellen was always the life of the party, heart and soul, with big smiles and even bigger belly laughs. She loved to have fun, saw the glass of life as half-full, embraced those she called friends, cherished her family, and had a generous spirit. Ellen was a dreamer, a lover of love, and forever hopeful. She loved music and loved to sing, she had a soulful voice, and was a life force of the GraceTones. 

 

In honor of  Ellen, donations can be made to the Lustgarten Foundation for pancreatic cancer research.

 

Ellen created “The Bevy” one dark night after a ladies’ sunset cruise. While standing on the bow supposedly looking for a mooring, she held the spotlight like a microphone and belted out “It’s The Bevy of Beauties!”—much to the captain’s irritation at not being able to find his mooring in the dark. Ellen didn’t care, she was having too much fun, she made everything fun, and with that, The Bevy, a close-knit group of CIYC women, was born. Our lives will never be the same without her.

 

There is no story about Ellen without Paul–Paulie, Tall Paul, Paulie Nine Toes, the love of her life. They met at The Tall Club NYC in 2001, and hit it off big time. Paul had a boat at Barron’s boatyard, then started racing on Mustang Sally with Jim Dennis. Paul joined CIYC in 2002 as an Active member, and he and Ellen sailed their boat, Columbia, near and far. They were married at CIYC in 2004, and we sadly bade farewell and fair winds to Paul at CIYC seven years later, on Memorial Day. Ellen donated the first Club Boat to CIYC, and it was named after her late brother, Myles Reilly. This helped many get their start in sailing. In honor of Paul, a current Club Boat is named “Paulie Boy”.

 

Ellen was often seen on the Race Committee boat on Wednesday nights volunteering her time, and more recently donated two kayaks to the Junior Sailing Program. Ellen lived only a few doors down from CIYC, and her life was intricately woven into club life for 20 years. She loved having dinner on the porch on warm summer nights, and dancing till dawn at club events. She left us with so many wonderful memories.

 

Ellen is survived by her sister Shelagh Reilly and wife Angie Way, and her sister-in-law Edmy Reilly. A memorial service will be held at CIYC in the near future, specifics to be announced.