Obituary for Ellen Clair Stillman
Ellen Davis Stillman passed peacefully from this earth on May 7, 2022, at the age of 98, with her son, Douglas by her side.
If there were only one thing to be said about Ellen it would be that she loved people. Her happiest times were always among her family and friends. Ellen was a descendant of Dr. Isaac Davis, who was a pioneer doctor, pharmacist, coroner, and the first Mayor of Manitou Springs, Colorado.
Ellen was born in Newton, Kansas to Ruby and Beecher Davis. All her summers growing up were spent in North Park, Colorado. She graduated from Marshall High School, where she had been a cheerleader, received the American Legion Best Citizenship award, and had been the first young woman to be elected as vice-president of the student body.
After High school she attended Christian Women’s College in Columbia, Missouri for two years before serving on the War Board during World War II and being invited to hear Eleanor Roosevelt speak. During a portion of World War II, she also worked for the Boeing Corporation riding a bicycle to deliver documents and notes to the people building the B-29 bombers. Ellen finished her college education at Missouri Valley College and graduated Cum Laude with her bachelor’s degree in Biology and Education. She was a member of the Alpha XI Delta women’s fraternity in which she was an alumna for over 75 years.
After college she moved to Chicago to work for the Atomic Energy Commission at the University of Chicago. Ellen married William (Bill) Stillman and moved to Los Angeles, where the couple both attended classes at UCLA. In the early 1960’s they moved to Colorado Springs so that Bill could work for NORAD. During the mid 1960’s, Ellen became one of the earliest teachers in the Head Start program and was later invited to the White House to be honored for this achievement. Ellen continued her service to the community and volunteered at the local hospice organization and remained active in her church. Ellen also loved to travel, so much so, that in high school she sold her bicycle to start a saving account to travel to Europe. She eventually made it there, as well as to many other parts of the world.
Ellen is preceded in death by her parents, brother Beecher, and husband Bill. Ellen leaves behind her two sons, William and wife Donna; Douglas and wife Rina; Goddaughter, Jean Ballantyne; and four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Ellen was a leader, a traveler, a loving mother, loyal friend, and champion of people in need. She had a very strong faith in God and will be truly missed by everyone. A memorial service and website will be available towards the end of June.
If there were only one thing to be said about Ellen it would be that she loved people. Her happiest times were always among her family and friends. Ellen was a descendant of Dr. Isaac Davis, who was a pioneer doctor, pharmacist, coroner, and the first Mayor of Manitou Springs, Colorado.
Ellen was born in Newton, Kansas to Ruby and Beecher Davis. All her summers growing up were spent in North Park, Colorado. She graduated from Marshall High School, where she had been a cheerleader, received the American Legion Best Citizenship award, and had been the first young woman to be elected as vice-president of the student body.
After High school she attended Christian Women’s College in Columbia, Missouri for two years before serving on the War Board during World War II and being invited to hear Eleanor Roosevelt speak. During a portion of World War II, she also worked for the Boeing Corporation riding a bicycle to deliver documents and notes to the people building the B-29 bombers. Ellen finished her college education at Missouri Valley College and graduated Cum Laude with her bachelor’s degree in Biology and Education. She was a member of the Alpha XI Delta women’s fraternity in which she was an alumna for over 75 years.
After college she moved to Chicago to work for the Atomic Energy Commission at the University of Chicago. Ellen married William (Bill) Stillman and moved to Los Angeles, where the couple both attended classes at UCLA. In the early 1960’s they moved to Colorado Springs so that Bill could work for NORAD. During the mid 1960’s, Ellen became one of the earliest teachers in the Head Start program and was later invited to the White House to be honored for this achievement. Ellen continued her service to the community and volunteered at the local hospice organization and remained active in her church. Ellen also loved to travel, so much so, that in high school she sold her bicycle to start a saving account to travel to Europe. She eventually made it there, as well as to many other parts of the world.
Ellen is preceded in death by her parents, brother Beecher, and husband Bill. Ellen leaves behind her two sons, William and wife Donna; Douglas and wife Rina; Goddaughter, Jean Ballantyne; and four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Ellen was a leader, a traveler, a loving mother, loyal friend, and champion of people in need. She had a very strong faith in God and will be truly missed by everyone. A memorial service and website will be available towards the end of June.