I remember bird-a-thons with Ellen and Russell, long but thrilling days scouting all the birding hot spots in the Bay Area and raising $ for birds. We had a blast. It was hard not laugh when spending time with Ellen. Because of her, I had Scottish folk dancing at my wedding including a fertility dance. Russell, I hope thinking of Ellen still brings a smile to your face. Such a warm, generous and unique spirit.
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We can remember when Ellen & Russell would run in the Yearly SF Bay to Breakers. Although we did not participate it was always enjoyable to see how excited they were to prepare and participate in this annual event.
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Stuart and I knew Ellen and Russell for many years through the running community. Cannot remember how many years ago it was that Ellen invited us on a walk to see the many ducks that inhabit or migrate through Golden Gate Park. I want to acknowledge that she sparked in me an interest in birds that continues to this day. Every time I photograph ducks in particular, I think of Ellen.
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Jeff and I met Russell and Ellen in 1975 in a SF Recreation department folk dance class taught by Russell's sister, Jill. They were very kind and inclusive, and made us feel welcomed and valued. We've kept up the connection ever since. Russell, my heart goes out to you, and may Ellen's memory be a blessing to you and all your family. May you find peace and joy in the love that abounded between you and Ellen. That is eternal.
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I met Ellen and Russell in the Safeway in Ashland after a performance that I was in at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre one night. The curtain came down, I rushed to the store to get some groceries, and there they were in an aisle as I rounded the corner with my cart. They invited me to a music party they were having at their house that week. I went and met all of their incredibly talented (and musical) friends, and became friends with sweet Ellen and Russell. We continued our friendship through many music parties and many other productions. Ellen was an incredibly kind, strong, and authentically humanly funny person. I miss her greatly. Her generosity, her wit, her keen worldview. Such sweetness. Thank you, Ellen, for the gift of your life and your time amongst us.
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I met Russell and Ellen in the Dolphin South End Runners. It was always a pleasure to see them at races in their matching hats and I will definitely miss them. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the memorial
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Auntie Ellen held a special place in our family. Growing up, I loved going to Ellen and Russ’s house where M&Ms were always on hand and I got to play Frogger in the back room, and then walk to the park to feed the ducks. Even though I hadn’t seen her recently, I’ve always felt Ellen’s influence on me. She believed that I could and would be successful in life and let me know it early on. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye, but am glad she had Uncle Russell there by her side right up until the end. She will be so missed.
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2022, San Francisco
Visiting Ellen at home in June 2022
— with
Ellen Breslauer
and
Bill Aronson
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Ellen was my mother Susan's sister, an aunt I got to know very well over the past half century. She and Russell introduced my brother and me to running, and they even put on a 5k for us in Golden Gate Park, complete with ribbons and festivities. They supported me when I visited to run my first marathon in 1993, the SF Marathon no less. They also introduced me to cross country skiing, Mono Lake, Ashland, and the Oregon coast. I visited them countless times in SF - from wherever I was living - often to run the Bay to Breakers and enjoy a full weekend in the city. Ellen was thoughtful, curious, warm, active, and lived a very full life. While she will be greatly missed, I will always cherish the memories and the positive impact she had on my own life.
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I officially met Ellen on my first ever run on Angel Island, over 40 years ago. It was an extremely hot day and Ellen and Russell helped me make it to the finish line. From that day onward Ellen became more than just a neighbor that I waved at, she became a friend and a family member of choice. We shared many meals, runs, travels, explorations, holidays, days spotting birds, and quiet evenings by the fireplace talking. I keep in my heart an abundance of cherished memories from times spent together. I can't quite imagine the world without Ellen as she made it a brighter place.
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I met Ellen (and, of course, Russell) thirty-five years ago, and their friendship changed my life forever! They opened their lives and hearts to me, and my friends became their friends. Ellen introduced me to whitewater boating on the river and we all boated, skied, celebrated, lived, and partied together. What a great friend, communicator, athlete, instigator, and catalyst she was! It was so painful to see Ellen’s loss of strength and vitality over time. Now that her struggles are done, it’s so good to remember the strength, gregarious enthusiasm, elan vital, generosity, and great heart that was Ellen!
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Ellen was a great friend, and a friend for about 40 years. I have so many lovely memories of spending time with Ellen & Russell, going birding, having dinners, traveling .... some of the best was sitting around the dining room table, with reference books and a thesaurus spread around us, debating questions .... Ellen will be greatly missed, by me and so many others!
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It’s hard to believe Ellen is gone. She was so full of life.
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Ellen was a wonderful woman with a big heart ❤️ and a generous giving Soul who was fun to be with at the GGSC gatherings and classes. She was always full of complements for others. 😁 I will miss her. 😔
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Memories of Ellen are in my heart ❤️
I worked with Ellen at BRE and enjoyed lunch visits and parties at her home.
Russell, May the years of love between the two of you give you comfort.
Loretta Rose 🌹
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I believe I met Ellen and Russell on the bricks in Ashland after I had just gone on as Cyrano understudy. I was floating in exhaustion and stepped out to see this couple in Ren. clothing, waiting for me. She did a full curtsy and thanked me. She and Russell took me into their inner circle, shared food, music, stories and friendship with me. Opened my eyes to new worlds. She was generous, courageous and strong and really became a savior in my life. I will always hear her voice and laugh and always remember the Christmas Caroling that would start at their place and move through the neighborhood.
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'A moment's memory of that laureled head' A true Berkeley polymath who embraced it all...Love comfort and fond memories to the family.
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