Ellis May 1967-September 2064

Have you ever opened the paper and looked at the obituaries? I have. Occasionally I scan over the faces and occasionally I even read them. Kind of morbid, huh?

Back in the mid 1990's, my sister and I belonged to a writing group for mothers. One of the writing exercises we did was write our own obituary. A little creepy, but the experience has really stuck with me.

Today when I saw the memorial section of the paper, I decided to write what I hope my obit will look like:

Ellis
May 1967- September 2064


Ms. Ellis died suddenly, peacefully and surrounded by loved ones last Tuesday. Born in Baker, Oregon in 1967, Ellis enjoyed a childhood filled with books, pets, motorcycles, mischief, travel adventures and a loving family. In high school she excelled academically and athletically and is probably remembered most frequently wearing her purple and gold cheerleading uniform leading a pep rally or planning her next shenanigan with her best friend Michelle. During these teen years, Ellis was inspired to "always question things, surround yourself with excellence, and thirst for knowledge" by her teacher and friend Dan Mortlock.

After graduating high school, Ellis attended OSU. She dove into college life, joining honoraries, the Alpha Phi sorority and numerous clubs. She was elected secretary and then president of the Panhellenic system. Her most meaningful involvement, however, was her time spent as a YMCA "Big Sister" to 9-year-old Kathy. She enjoyed spending time with Kathy and they had many fun times together. Ellis remained in contact with Kathy throughout her life and took tremendous pride in seeing Kathy overcome her underprivledged background and become a successful woman.

In 1987, Ellis met Bo and in 1989 they were married in the town of her birth. Throughout her life, Ellis always considered her decision to marry Bo the best decision she ever made. Their marriage was filled with laughter, love, respect, adventure and happy companionship. They celebrated with great joy and danced the night away at their 75th wedding anniversary party last July.

Throughout her life, Ellis enjoyed two things the most: time spent with loved ones (especially at Sumpter or on a trip) and time spent traveling. If she had to choose between a plane ticket or a new couch, she always chose a plane ticket. Subsequently, she lived a life filled with worn out couches.

For many years, Ellis carried in her wallet a list of things she wanted to do before she died. People were fascinated by the idea of "the list". Some things on the list were experienced and some with were not, but the list served its purpose -- to encourage her to seek opportunities and joy. Ellis always lived with intention.

After getting married in 1989, Bo and Ellis settled in the Portland area and began careers. Ellis became Manager of Sponsorship Marketing and Events for US Bancorp and Bo worked in Finance and completed his MBA. During these Portland years, they spent every Friday night with their friends the Fischer and the Adams and this was the foundation of an unconditional circle of friendship that lasted throughout their lives.

In 1992, Ellis wore a maternity suit and high heels to her downtown office up until Anne was born one week after her due date. She was a career woman through and through.

But from the moment Anne entered the world, Ellis knew that her true passion and calling in life was motherhood and she reveled in it. In 1996, their family grew with the birth of Marie, and Ellis made a career change to stay-at-home mom.

In 1997, the family moved to Texas. They met many wonderful people and enjoyed their years in the lone star state. Their son Marshall was born in 2000 - a native Texan!

Ellis enjoyed pregnancy, birth and the infancy of her three children tremendously. She had known she would. What surprised her was how much she enjoyed her children as they grew into children and then adults. Ellis had always assumed before becoming a mother that she would mold her children, like clay. But looking back, she said her children knew who they were the moment they were created. She and Bo were priveleged to bear witness to the process as Anne, Marie and Marshall became the amazing people they are.

Ellis considered her 3 children her most significant gift to this world.

In 2014 Ellis obtained her nursing degree from Texas State University. She then used her medical knowledge throughout her remaining years, mostly in volunteer work both in the US and abroad.

In 2018 Bo and Ellis returned to the Pacific NW to be closer to their family and friends.

Ellis was not perfect, and her life was not always perfect. But it was the life she wanted to live and it was a life filled with much more good than bad. It was a life that Ellis never took for granted.

Although not religious in the traditional sense of the word, Ellis believed strongly in the power of LOVE and the power of GRATITUDE. Her favorite quote was by Meister Eckhart:

"If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice."

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In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a program that you care about - PAY IT FORWARD - that's what Ellis would have wanted the most.