Ellen Dailey Summers, a loving mother and grandmother, passed away on February 8, 2026, in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, surrounded by family and friends.

She was born on November 3, 1958, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Carol Jean Dailey and G. William Fishering Jr. She grew up in Indiana, but fell in love with the mountains of Colorado while attending CU Boulder and never left.

Ellen’s life was multifaceted, but what truly defined her was the depth of her compassion. Selfless to her core, she spent her life putting others first and ensuring those she loved were always looked after. While she held many jobs throughout her life, her proudest accomplishment was raising her three children and sharing her motherly heart with everyone she encountered.

A true lover of the arts, Ellen found joy in ballet, dancing, music, and creativity in all its forms. Her family and friends will forever remember how she delighted in the simple joy of having a good time with friends; often dancing like no one was watching—a testament to her vibrant spirit and sense of fun.

Ellen is survived by her children, AJ Summers (Jen), Corey Summers (Sydney), and Maggie Summers Tarbert (Nick); her siblings, Bill Fishering, Dianne Fishering, Andy Fishering; and five cherished grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, infant daughter, Carol, and her brother, Tom Fishering.

Ellen left this world a better place through the unconditional love she poured into others, leaving us all with one final heartfelt “Love ya, mean it.”

A celebration of Ellen’s life will be held May 30 at 2:00 p.m. at Arbaney Park (600 Elk Run Drive, Basalt, CO 81621). Family and friends are warmly invited to gather, share memories, and honor her life together. Please RSVP on this website so we can plan for the number of guests who plan to attend. 

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