Saying Goodbye to Ellen O’Brien: “She Connected Us All”

When a Level Green Landscaping team member welcomed a new baby, Ellen O’Brien made sure they got a tiny Level Green onesie, in pink or blue. 

Her job title was administrative assistant, but Ellen was really the company mom. 

It’s with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Ellen, a beloved member of the Level Green Landscaping family.

Ellen Cecilia O'Brien of Chesapeake Beach passed away Thursday, May 30, after a sudden illness.

Ellen was hired six years ago as the Level Green administrative assistant, but soon grew to be so much more. 

“Ellen was such an integral part of our organization,” says Doug Delano, Level Green Managing Partner. He tells how Ellen skillfully and thoughtfully handled not just the big elements of her job description, but the little things that made team members feel like special members of the Level Green family. 

She bought USA caps and American flags for Level Green team members who had become American citizens. She made sure life’s exciting milestones were acknowledged and celebrated. 

Doug tells how Ellen whipped company events into shape, buying all the supplies and lining up the catering. She was meticulous about overseeing the multi-faceted employee uniform distribution, making sure team members looked good and dressed safely. 

Ellen made things happen. 

At the end of her emails was this phrase: “How you do anything is how you do everything.”

She was compelled to do everything well. 

“She made it all look so seamless,” Doug said, “and thinking about it, it is anything but seamless for those doing the work.

“I used to tease Ellen that she was the company’s and office’s surrogate mother,” Doug said, “taking care of everyone when problems arose.”

Marcene Pugh was one of Ellen’s “adopted daughters,” sharing a close friendship.

“Ellen was compassionate and empathetic, with a huge heart,” says Marcene, Chief Financial Officer at Level Green. “She wanted to make sure everybody was happy, and that they felt like more than just a worker here. She connected us all.”

Ellen wasn’t just the office mom — she was the office grandma, too.

Marcene’s 10-year-old daughter, Makayla, and other office daughters loved visiting “Miss Ellen.” She was the kind of grown-up who happily took time out to play with you and take a selfie with your doll. 

“She sent the girls letters if they did something exciting or they overcame a challenge,” Marcene says. “She’d send them a little note that said, ‘Great job’ or ‘I’m so proud of you!’

“As much as she took us in as adopted daughters, she did the same for her adopted grandchildren,” Marcene says. “They always asked ‘Is Miss Ellen here?’”

She was always there, the kind of friend who loved to listen to Kool & the Gang with you and knew your Starbucks order by heart. 

“Ellen had nine siblings, so she always had something going on in her life,” Marcene says, “but she always asked about you and your family.

“We lost a family member.”

“I know that we will never be able to replace Ellen,” Doug says, “but she will hold a place in our hearts for a long time.”

Ellen Cecilia O’Brien

July 23, 1962 — May 30, 2024

Visitation will be at Beall Funeral Home, 6512 NW Crain Highway, Bowie, MD on Monday, June 10 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 8816 Chesapeake Ave, North Beach, MD at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, June 11 (eulogy at 10:15 then Mass) followed by interment at Resurrection Cemetery, a procession will form in front of the cemetery office at 12:30. 8000 Woodyard Rd, Clinton, MD. 

Family and friends are welcome to attend the repass following the burial from 2-6 p.m. at the American Legion, 3330 Chesapeake Beach Road, Chesapeake Beach, MD.