Mary Ellen Katona, 79, of Bridgeton, New Jersey, died at her home on Thursday, November 30, 2017.

Ellen was born and raised in Garwood, N.J. to parents Maria and George Dougherty. Later she moved to Green Brook and then Kingwood where she raised her family. She has lived as far north as Maine and as far south as Key West over the past 35 years. But residing in pre-Revolutionary houses always made her feel at home. Ellen’s love for historical objects, led her to become an antique dealer. In 1982 Ellen and her longtime partner Robert Lutz merged their talents to pursue an antique business that they enjoyed together. From antique shows and exhibitions, to management of trade shows, Ellen Katona and Bob Lutz’s antique shows successfully showcased Americana Art. At the time of her death Ellen and Bob were putting the finishing touches on the 2017 Tewksbury Christmas Antique Show.

Ellen was an avid reader, talented cook, connected with nature and loved to be near the water. She enjoyed discovering hidden treasures up and down the east coast. She was a proud mother, a generous grandmother, and will be deeply missed. Ellen treasured the life and career she shared with Bob.

In addition to her partner and companion Bob Lutz, Ellen is survived by her older son and his wife Christopher and Jillian Katona and her grandchildren Paige and Roman of Doylestown, PA, her younger son Kurt Katona and his friend Holly Ferguson of Kingwood, NJ ; her niece Linda Jones of Phillipsburg, NJ; Bob’s son and his wife Timothy and Monica Lutz and Bob’s granddaughters Ava and Sophia all of Cincinnati, Ohio. Ellen was predeceased by her parents George S. and Maria Thaisz Dougherty and her sister Bette Phillips.

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, December 5, at 11 am at Rosemont Cemetery, 100 Kingwood-Stockton Road, Rosemont, NJ 08556.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Van Horn-McDonough Funeral Home, 21 York Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530 (vhmfh.com).