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September 3, 2015

Obituary: Eleanor J. (Ellie) Cadugan

CaduganEleanor J. “Ellie” Cadugan, who retired in 2007 after a 27-year career at Pitt, died Aug. 18, 2015, following a short illness. She was 69.

Cadugan began her career teaching high school English in the Pittsburgh Public Schools before moving to Boston, where she was responsible for the development and instruction of in-house training programs at the John Hancock Insurance Co. She also volunteered to help members of the community prepare for their high school equivalency exams.

She returned to Pittsburgh to assist her aging relatives and accepted a position as training manager for On-Line Systems, Inc. Looking to make a career change, Cadugan joined the Pitt staff in 1979. She held a number of positions, including serving as director of management and staff development programs in the Office of Human Resources, executive assistant to the chair of the Department of Psychiatry and administrative manager at the Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering.

In 2004, she joined the Office of Institutional Advancement as executive assistant to Vice Chancellor Albert Novak. Novak remembers “an intelligent, bright and friendly colleague and friend to many. Her devotion to the University of Pittsburgh extended beyond her employment.” After retirement, Cadugan worked briefly for Carnegie Mellon University before returning to Pitt as part of All-Temps, where her assignments included serving in the Office of the Secretary and the Office of the Chancellor. She also returned to the Office of Institutional Advancement as a volunteer.

A long-time resident of Shadyside, Cadugan walked to campus almost every day.

She was known for her wry sense of humor. Her colleague in the Office of the Secretary, Linda Santa Casa, recalled that, “Ellie was so sweet. She knew everyone at the University and brought a smile to everyone’s face. She made me laugh every day.”

Cadugan also was known for her love of animals and supported many of the region’s animal shelters. In addition, she opened her heart and home to a number of rescued animals. The last in this long line of pets was Oscar, a stray cat Cadugan adopted six years ago. True to her selfless nature, when Cadugan was hospitalized, one of her foremost concerns was that Oscar would find a new home, and he was quickly taken in by one of her devoted friends.

Cadugan earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Westminster College and her master’s degree in English literature from Duquesne University.

She was a member of Pitt’s 1787 Society and belonged to a number of professional organizations, including the American Society for Training and Development, the College and University Personnel Association, the Pittsburgh Personnel Association and the Executive Women’s Council of Pittsburgh.

Cadugan is survived by her brother David and his wife Kathleen, her niece Jennifer and nephew Douglas, and her cat Oscar.

Acknowledgements of memorial contributions should be sent to her family at 273 Rockdale Road, Butler 16002.

—Submitted by Kim Honath

(Editor’s note: Mira Funari and Karen Whitehead also contributed to this obituary.)

Filed under: Feature,Volume 48 Issue 1

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