Ella Louise Wagner, 69, of Salem, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 9, 2026, at her home, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, laughter, and a kitchen that was always open. Born on June 7, 1956, in Troy, New York, to the late George Henry and Vivian Sylvia Wood, Ella spent her life proving that the best things in life are often the simplest: a good batch of brownies, a brisk walk, and a long chat with the people you love.

To know Ella was to know a woman who didn't just walk; she moved with a purpose that left everyone else trailing behind in the dust. In her younger years, she was a legendary fast walker, a blur of energy that friends and family remember with a fond shake of the head—if you wanted to keep up with Ella, you practically had to run. Though she traded her walking shoes for the quiet joy of her tablet games and Facebook Live sessions in recent years, her spirit remained just as vibrant. She mastered the art of the digital age to keep her family close, filling their screens with smiles and ensuring that distance never dampened her connection to those she held dear.

The heart of Ella’s home was undoubtedly her kitchen. She had a specialized "calling" for her family, frequently ringing them up with an irresistible invitation to come over for a bowl of her fresh chili or a tray of warm brownies. Her creativity didn't stop at the stove top, as she spent many happy hours at Twin Oaks or at her own table working on craft paintings and small looming projects, always finding beauty in the details.

Ella was reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, John Guy Wagner Sr., and her siblings Stan, Vivian, Kenneth, William, and half-brother Paul. Her vibrant life will be celebrated and remembered by her children, Paul Davis, Sophie Dailey and her husband Rick, Chester Davis and his wife Aliza, Louis Davis, Michael Toma, and her stepson John Guy Wagner Jr. She also leaves behind her sister Wendy Ryan and her husband Walter Sr., along with a joyful multitude of grandchildren who will forever miss her "fresh out of the oven" love.

The family has entrusted her care to the Greenisen Family of the Arbaugh-Pearce-Greenisen and Sons Funeral and Cremation Services in Salem, where they will honor a woman who taught us all that if life is moving fast, you might as well be the one leading the pack.