I just found out today (January 4) that Ellen has passed away and was shocked and deeply saddened. Ellen was a very dear friend who helped me enormously during our years at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Michigan. We had lots of laughs during a cross-country trip together in her convertible, including her foray into cooking a chicken (took 3 hours over a campfire).

Our communication over the last couple of years became mostly very long emails (I would post her my annual reviews of the plays at Oregon Shakespeare festival).

She was beloved by my parents and family. I've never posted here before but cried as I read the wonderful comments made above. She will be very much missed.