Margaret Ellen Gauntt passed away on Friday, December 11, 2020, in Montgomery, following a brief illness. She was born on December 3, 1949. She grew up in Montgomery and attended Sidney Lanier High School. She attended Greenbrier College for Women in West Virginia, and graduated from Colorado University in Boulder, Colorado.

Ellen was employed in New York City with Hyatt Hotels, as Director of National Sales and Conventions; married and eventually moved to Hilton Head, SC, where she began an illustrious career in Real Estate.

Later, she moved back to Montgomery, working for Prudential Ballard Realty as a residential sales agent. While there, she became interested in neighborhood development and new home sales. Through her leadership, she was named Director of the New Homes Sales Department, working with developers and builders. In a short time, she grew her department to have new home sales forces in eleven neighborhoods. Upon retirement, she became the Qualifying Broker for Ballard Referral Company and then for Montgomery Real Estate Referrals.

Ellen was a devoted sports enthusiast: an avid swimmer, equestrian, snow-skier, water-skier, and tennis champ. She loved her pets, including many beloved dogs and cats along the way.

She was predeceased by her parents, William L. and Margaret E. Gauntt, and her nephew, William C. McGowan. She is survived by a brother, William M. (Sunny) Gauntt, a sister, Denise G. Hawke (Michael); a nephew Jonathan K. Gauntt; nieces Corinna Egan, Margaret Angeline, and Browder Lane Gauntt; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Ellen was especially grateful to life-long friends, and dear Pike Road neighbors who have shared in her beloved "farm-ette" life. Magnolia Cremations & Funeral Services, directing.

In lieu of flowers, plant a tree!

Memorials may be made to your favorite charity, or to one of the following:

Montgomery Humane Society
1150 John Overton Drive
Montgomery AL 

Camp Wheeze Away
Brenda Basanite
233 Canal Road
Wetumpka AL 36092

American Cancer Society
1100 Ireland Way
Birmingham AL 35205

Published in Montgomery Advertiser from December 12th and 13th, 2020.