Ellen Elise Parks passed away on December 13, 2023, at the age of 86, after a lengthy battle with dementia. She was the widow of Terry Parks and the mother of their two children; Michaela and Matthew. She was born the second youngest of the seven children of Grover and Alice Ferris. All but one of her siblings predeceased her. She and her husband Terry were married for 45 years until his death in 2002, at the age of 74.

As by her wishes, a small, private service will be held at the home of her daughter, Michaela. She will be cremated, and her ashes scattered in the Oswego River near her birthplace, Fulton, NY.