Ellen Hollinger Hirko Ellen Hollinger Hirko (Ellie) came into the world at Chico's Enloe Hospital on October 13, 1936. She left to be reunited with her beloved husband Joe from Chico's Enloe Hospital on December 22, 2016. Between those dates, she lived a full and happy life. Ellie and Joe lived in 17 different houses in their 59 years together. Sacramento, Riverside, San Antonio, Arkansas, Florida, Maine, and Massachusetts were all home before they returned to Chico for good in 1973. Everyone who entered their home in Chico felt as though they belonged, and knew without a doubt that they were special. Ellie saw to that. Nothing brought more joy to her life than making other people happy, and she did that with an ease that very few could match. Whether she was going out of her way to make someone feel comfortable in her home, remembering the birthday and anniversary of everyone she knew, dropping a card to a friend who was going through a rough time just to remind them that they were special, or cooking someone's favorite food, Ellie made strangers into friends and friends into family. Ellie was a nurturing soul, and a true homemaker. She always said homemaker was the one job from which you were never able to retire, and few people could create a home more quickly or thoroughly. Although not classically trained as a chef, the kitchen was where she felt most at home. Her family lost count of the number of times they heard, "I can't even eat that in a restaurant anymore. No one cooks it like Ellie." This Irish girl even learned to make Slovak food at the elbow of her mother-in-law, learning every recipe through repetition because none were written down, so Joe would be happy. Ellie was Julia Child, Emily Post, Miss Manners, and Martha Stewart all rolled into one. It's no surprise then that she was many things to many people: Mom, Herb, Auntie, Mom-mom, Mrs. Hirko, Ma, Grandma, Grammy, wife, sister, and friend. She was the definition of a lady, and a gentle woman. Ultimately, her generous heart that she gave so freely to others couldn't sustain her any longer. For someone who was one of God's brightest lights on earth, she spent Christmas with Him and Joe. Isn't that how it should be? Ellie is survived by her daughters Lynne and Leslie, and an extended family too numerous to mention. A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 30th, at 10:00 am, Our Savior Lutheran Church in Paradise, 6404 Pentz Road. In lieu of gifts or flowers, please make a donation in Ellie's name to Our Savior.