I did not immediately notice Ellen. She was not an "in your face" kind of person, although our class had plenty of those. No, Ellen was a quiet treasure with a sharp intelligence that accompanied keen powers of observation. She was reserved and respectful ... probably more mature than the rest of us in those years. When we got to know each other, I discovered she was also gifted with a good sense of humor that was not apparent at first meeting. From reading memories of her colleagues from her professional life, she must have been a valuable contributor to the life of the institutions she served. It was such a treat to see her and catch up at the 50th Reunion. Farewell Ellen!
I was blessed to meet two life-long friends at Central - Deborah (Taffel) Tabert and Ellen. Deborah introduced me to Ellen and we connected immediately with our mutual love of swimming and camping. Ellen and I took swimming lessons at the YWCA and went on to get our Water Safely Instructor certificates and taught swimming all through college. As a freshman at the UofM, Ellen's family took me in when my mother suffered a major bi-polar breakdown and was hospitalized over a month. We continued to stay close over all these years and enjoyed travel (on a schooner out of Camden, Maine and Road Scholor trips to Savannah, GA and a barge trip in Belgium). I knitted baby sweaters for her daughters (now 40) who passed them down to their children. Ellen's husband, Chris, died several years ago from diabetic kidney failure so Ellen was a single parent for many years. She was diagnosed over a year ago with advanced bile duct cancer. As a two-time ovarian cancer survivor myself, I could empathize with her through the journey of getting ports, chemo, fatigue, blood counts, etc. But her cancer was inoperable and her body just wore out. I'm trying to think about all the wonderful adventures and life expereinces we shared and not give in to the anger I feel toward cancer. But I will always feel the loss of her in my life.
Ellen Vasiliou (Mamandras)
I did not immediately notice Ellen. She was not an "in your face" kind of person, although our class had plenty of those. No, Ellen was a quiet treasure with a sharp intelligence that accompanied keen powers of observation. She was reserved and respectful ... probably more mature than the rest of us in those years. When we got to know each other, I discovered she was also gifted with a good sense of humor that was not apparent at first meeting. From reading memories of her colleagues from her professional life, she must have been a valuable contributor to the life of the institutions she served. It was such a treat to see her and catch up at the 50th Reunion. Farewell Ellen!
Carol Pine
What a kind and thoughtful tribute to Ellen. As we age, let us all see the best in people.
Karen Mosso
I was blessed to meet two life-long friends at Central - Deborah (Taffel) Tabert and Ellen. Deborah introduced me to Ellen and we connected immediately with our mutual love of swimming and camping. Ellen and I took swimming lessons at the YWCA and went on to get our Water Safely Instructor certificates and taught swimming all through college. As a freshman at the UofM, Ellen's family took me in when my mother suffered a major bi-polar breakdown and was hospitalized over a month. We continued to stay close over all these years and enjoyed travel (on a schooner out of Camden, Maine and Road Scholor trips to Savannah, GA and a barge trip in Belgium). I knitted baby sweaters for her daughters (now 40) who passed them down to their children. Ellen's husband, Chris, died several years ago from diabetic kidney failure so Ellen was a single parent for many years. She was diagnosed over a year ago with advanced bile duct cancer. As a two-time ovarian cancer survivor myself, I could empathize with her through the journey of getting ports, chemo, fatigue, blood counts, etc. But her cancer was inoperable and her body just wore out. I'm trying to think about all the wonderful adventures and life expereinces we shared and not give in to the anger I feel toward cancer. But I will always feel the loss of her in my life.