Eleanor Ely, editor of The Volunteer Monitor newsletter, passed away on Thursday January 26 from ovarian cancer.  Ellie was one of the stalwarts of the volunteer monitoring movement, a prominent leader from its very beginnings. She was the editor and driving force behind The Volunteer Monitor from 1990 to 2010, writing and researching many of the articles herself.  It was the voice of volunteer monitoring, everyone relied on it for technical advice on monitoring, sustaining programs, training volunteers, and many, many other topics.  It was, in fact, the critical link connecting the thousands of diverse members of the volunteer monitoring community.  Ellie’s persistence, patience, and unique editorial insight ensure that her publication was timely and timeless, an invaluable resource for the entire monitoring community, from volunteer to professional.  Ellie devoted a tremendous amount of time, effort and energy into writing, editing, and producing each issue of The Volunteer Monitor newsletter.  She had a critical eye for details, researching and thoroughly mastering each newsletter topic – from data management to bacteria monitoring.  Most remarkably, Ellie translated the most arcane bureaucratic doublespeak or scientific technospeak into plain, clearly understandable English.  She cared very much about the newsletter’s technical and editorial quality, and was just as wholly dedicated to the volunteer monitoring movement itself; she knew more about individual volunteer monitoring programs, and their leaders, than any other person in the U.S.  She was always eager to share her knowledge, experience, and connections with others, and to help forward the cause of volunteer environmental monitoring.

Ellie also edited the National Directory of Volunteer Monitoring Programs and proceedings of four national conferences, and wrote or edited a variety of other environmental and science publications for Rhode Island Sea Grant, Delta Publications, Yale University Press, and more. 

Ellie had a master’s degree in microbiology and taught technical writing and editing in workshops around the country.  In 2006 she received the Elizabeth Jester Fellows Award for outstanding achievement in the field of water quality monitoring, awarded by the National Water Quality Monitoring Council in recognition of her work as editor of The Volunteer Monitor. (See award with inscription)

This November, when her cancer had returned Ellie wrote “After being diagnosed in 2008, I really made a point of living fully, living in the present, feeling alive, trying to appreciate each moment ... I realized also that relationships are the most important thing, and I tried to nurture all my relationships and (hopefully) let my friends and family feel my appreciation and love for them.” One of her strongest wishes at that time was to spend time with all her family members, which she did, with nieces coming from all over, her RI sister and brother with her for extended times.  Her brother Richard moved from Wisconsin to live with and care for her.  He sent warm, wonderful, descriptive, poignant and sentimental emails to the wider community of friends close to Ellie.

In December Ellie rebounded, and gently reminded us that “lately my Inner Cynic or some such character has been feeling left out and wanted to say something. Hence this bit of doggerel: Let's get sincerely ironical, Irreverent and anti-canonical, And live every day In a normal-ish way In spite of dissolution anatomical.”  In a reply to an email from a friend she wrote “yes, time to get down off the pedestal! It's hard being up on a pedestal anyway, what with birds pooping on your head and whatnot.” Ellie had a wonderful Christmas with friends and family. She wrote “Sure, go ahead and send the factsheet.  It will be interesting to see if I remember anything…” The next day was her final chemo treatment.

In early January Ellie realized that her treatments were prolonging the inevitable, and in ways that were not what she wanted.  She ended her chemo treatments, still continuing other medications and medical care, and drew her friends and family closer.  She wrote, "I don't have much energy for messages … nor even much desire for messages. I feel good about the messages people have sent already, feel I've had a chance to say goodbye. I feel pretty well finished with all that, and now have reached the stage where I just want to withdraw into myself and the support of my closest friends and family, and pass away quietly." Amazingly Ellie and a growing group of family and friends made at least 7 daily visits to the beach, her brother writing that “Ellie played in the water, letting the waves splash up her legs, then ducked her head and face in the water. A joyous baptismal.”

On January 26 Ellie’s journey in this world ended. Richard wrote “my sister Ellie died today at 12:30 p.m. Fran and I were in the room with her. Her breathing became slower and quieter, and then it stopped. I think it was peaceful for her. I certainly felt a strong sense of peacefulness in the room during the last hour or so of her life.”

Ellie will be remembered by so many for her gentle humor, her incisive mind, her remarkable writing and editing skills, (her attention to detail was legendary among those who wrote articles for the Volunteer Monitor,) her fierce dedication to the volunteer monitoring community, and most of all, for her wonderful friendship to those of us who had the privilege to work with her over the years.

Ellie is survived by her close and loving family, brothers Richard and David, sister Liz and several devoted nieces. Letters of condolence and remembrance can be sent to the Ely family at 3947 Mission St, Apt 2, San Francisco, CA 94112. We also invite you to share your thoughts and memories of Ellie via email to lgreen@uri.edu. They will be compiled as a gift to Ellie’s family and also posted at http://www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer/Special/RememberingEllie.html.

A memorial for Ellie will be held in San Francisco sometime in the coming weeks, with another in Rhode Island in the summer. Any information the family may forward regarding charitable donations in her memory will be posted when it becomes available.

Remembering our friend Ellie,
Linda Green and Alice Mayio

Memorial service information from Ellie's brother Richard: "The memorial will be Sunday afternoon, February 19 from 2-5 at the Sunnyside Conservatory on Monterey Blvd. in San Francisco. The site is a lovely, light-filled dome. The focus of the memorial will be a simple sharing of remembrances of Ellie. That is, we will sit together and take turns sharing whatever we want to share. You can write something ahead of time to read aloud, you can speak off-the-cuff, you can sing a song, you can be silent. There will be pictures of Ellie and some of her writing on display."

Ellie's Obituary as published in San Francisco Chronicle:

Eleanor Ely 1947-2012 Died peacefully at home in San Francisco on January 26. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Ellie moved to the Bay Area in 1970 and received her B.A. and M.A. from SF State University. She worked as a microbiology technologist at Davies Medical Center and SF General Hospital, and as a writer/editor for the Rhode Island Sea Grant Communications Office. In 1991, she became editor of the EPA's Volunteer Monitor newsletter, where for twenty years she brought her keen intelligence and meticulous writing, editing, and research skills to the grassroots environmental movement. She also wrote for and edited a variety of other local and national environmental and science publications, and conducted writing workshops for scientists and citizen groups. Most recently, Ellie shared her humor and honesty, and her passions for service, language, and friendship, with the SF Insight Sangha, Bernal Heights Library Writers' Group, SF Transit Riders Union, and several cancer support groups. She is deeply missed by loving siblings, nieces, and friends, who will gather on Sunday, February 19, 2-5 pm, at a memorial in her honor at the Sunnyside Conservatory, 236 Monterey Blvd, San Francisco. Donations in her memory can be sent to a charity of the donor's choice .

Responses from the Volunteer Monitoring Community

Monday, January 30, 2012

That's so sad. I wish I had met Ellie in person. Just glad I had the opportunity to at least know her online.

Darlene Cavalier
Science for Citizens

Monday, January 30, 2012

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insights into the remarkable life of Eleanor Ely.

Mahalo,
Carl I. Evensen, PhD
Interim Associate Dean and Associate Director for Extension
University of Hawaii at Manoa

Monday, January 30, 2012

I did not really know Ellie, but I heard wonderful things about her. I felt like she was part of our working world.

Arthur J. Gold, Ph.D.
Professor, Dept. of Natural Resources Sci.
University of Rhode Island

Monday, Jan 30, 2012

Bless her...she was an inspiration to me for a decade. She always replied to my emails with warmth, humor, and genuine encouragement that made me feel as though my novice attempts at water investigations were important and worthy of respect. Thanks in large part to Ellie's gentle prodding and enthusiasm, I am finally in a position to launch the first-ever volunteer monitoring program on the Black River -- I have Ellie to thank for welcoming me into the warm, creative "family" of volunteer monitors around the country.

She will be sorely missed, but her spirit lives on through all of us out here in our waders with our macroinvertebrate nets, our dissolved oxygen meters, and our Excel spreadsheets. May her memory inspire us all to be as courageous as she was.

Humbly,
Kelly Stettner
Black River Action Team (BRAT)...be part of the solution!

Tuesday, Jan 31, 2012

Hi folks,

[I] remember Ellie as one of the first people to support and promote the growing field of volunteer monitoring, in its broadest sense. I had the pleasure of working with Ellie during the 2007 Citizen Science Toolkit Conference here at the Lab of Ornithology, and credit her vision, generosity, and persistence with helping many of us there think beyond "citizen science." Her knowledge of the history of this field, combined with her vision of how transformative these opportunities can be, will continue to have a far-reaching influence (see her article, Volunteer Monitoring & the Democratization of Science).

~~Jennifer Shirk
Citizen Science Central
Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Tue, Jan 31, 2012

I am deeply saddened to hear of Ellie's passing. I was not aware that she was ill. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to correspond with her over the years, and enjoyed meeting her in person years ago when she visited one of the freshwater ponds we were monitoring in my town on Cape Cod. Her passion and dedication to educating, promoting and supporting volunteer monitoring efforts across the country through actions and the written word, was extraordinary. No volunteer monitoring program was too small. She gave equal support and consideration to all.

My condolences go out to her family and friends. Ellie made a huge difference and helped so many. Her words will live on forever. She will not be forgotten.

Judy Scanlon
Orleans Water Quality Task Force
"Professional Volunteer"

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

I interacted with Eleanor a bit over the years regarding the Volunteer Monitor newsletters. She not only produced a great publication, but was always flexible & friendly with questions, ordering back-issues, etc. She persevered even after the paper edition was phased out, which might have dispirited less dedicated folks.

She will be missed by the countless coordinators & volunteers she inspired and educated.

Paul Mack
former technical lead, River Monitoring Project
Sierra Club - DuPage, IL

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

I’m glad I’ll always remember Ellie for her strong, leadership voice for volunteer monitoring as well as for her sweet, positive nature. Although I feel pretty sad right now learning of Ellie’s death, I also feel more inspired to keep her good work going forward.

Warmest regards,

Amy Picotte
Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

So sorry to hear about Ellie. I forwarded your touching tribute to a few people who may not have known her, but certainly admired her work. I didn't know Ellie nearly as well as you and Alice, but I immediately recognized her spirit in your lovely words. I will say, however, that her "charming daffiness" didn't quite come through, though that quality always escapes narrative.

Scott A. Kishbaugh, P.E.
Bureau of Water Assessment and Management
NYSDEC Division of Water

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Eleanor Ely….”bummer”. I really enjoyed all that she did for the volunteer monitoring in this country.

Will be missed.

Tony Williams, Director of Monitoring Programs
BUZZARDS BAY COALITION

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

What a sad day! The memories of Ellie's mischievous smile and her clear eyes will always be with us. Those of us who had the privilege to get to know her will never forget her. I'm sure that many will recall her contributions to the cause of volunteer monitoring and the people who made it all happen, but Ellie was first and foremost an exceptional human being, a "mensch" if you will. I will dearly miss her. In my humble opinion, no other moniker would have done Ellie justice.

Paula Zevin
Monitoring and Assessment Branch
Division of Environmental Science and Assessment
USEPA - Region 2

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

I am so sorry to lose Ellie. I thought a great deal of her.

Mike Smolen

Professor Emeritus
Biosystems & Ag Engineering
Oklahoma State University

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Ellie was an amazing resource to our community and her 20+ years of work will live on and be resource to the volunteer monitoring community for decades to come. Working with Ellie on an article was always a challenge for me, but the final product always turned out better than I expected. One year she came out to NJ and was a plenary speaker for the Summit. She had about 1.5 hours and I remember the room was silent as she spoke. Our audience was a mix of government folks, volunteers and volunteer coordinators. At the end if her talk, the audience asked question after question and she took the time to answer each one with a smile on her face. And I guess that is what I will remember about her the most, her smile, her patience, and her love for our community.

Fondly,
Danielle Donkersloot
NJDEP-Volunteer Monitoring Program
Trenton, NJ

I am really sorry to hear about Ellie's passing. She was a remarkable person and wonderful proponent of citizen science.

Joy Marburger, PhD
Research Coordinator
Great Lakes Research and Education Center Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

I am very sorry to hear of her passing. I did not know her, but wish I had had the privilege. I knew she had
received our Council Fellows award at the 2006 conference. What a life well lived... My condolences.

Leslie J. McGeorge, M.S.P.H.
Administrator
NJDEP, Freshwater and Biological Monitoring

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

I am so sad to hear this news. Ellie will truly be missed for all her many talents and contributions. She was a legendary crusader for volunteer monitoring.

Wendi Hartup, Natural Resources Extension Agent, North Carolina Cooperative Extension

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

I am a volunteer in a rural county, just trying to get local folks to participate in SWAMP and the Clean Water Team. I responded when Ellie put the announcement out that she would send the last remaining copies of the printed magazine, and I am glad to
say that I have used them many times to give people an idea of how ordinary citizens can make a difference. I truly appreciate the work she created, and am even more saddened to know that we have lost her.

Betsy Cawn
Upper Lake, Ca.

Thursday, February 02, 2012

I remember first meeting Ellie at the Volunteer Monitoring Conference in Austin in 2000, and how interested she was in our program and the challenges we faced, and what a fount of enthusiastic information she was concerning potential solutions and resources. Over the ensuing years, I had a vague idea that the status of her program was often equally as tenuous as mine, but she never let on to that, and her commitment to her mission was total. I know that she also had a phase of caring for an ailing parent, which she also dealt with with the utmost grace. I had a huge amount of fun the one time she asked me to write an article for the Volunteer Monitor, when I was on painkillers recovering from an accident, and she handled my loopy conversations with grace and humor. Maybe the J. Edgar Hoover movie is on my mind, but I don’t think it’s often that an institution owes its very essence to an individual. In Ellie’s case, it’s true, and without J. Edgar’s dark undertones. It appears that she went out of life the way she went through life: with attention, appreciation, and concern for others.

Fondly,

Ed Chadd, Program Coordinator
Streamkeepers of Clallam County
Port Angeles, WA

Sunday, February 05, 2012 9:39 AM

Ellie was a remarkable person. I always felt fortunate to have known Ellie and to have been her friend. I really enjoyed the many times we discussed writing and environmental issues and details of describing monitoring techniques. I always held out hope that she would beat the cancer.

Chris Swarth
Sanctuary Director, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary

Monday, February 6, 2012

Ellie's someone who made an impact in her life, that's for sure. She had a desire for perfection and paid more attention to small details than anyone I have ever known. That came through to anyone who ever worked with her on a Volunteer Monitor article, I'm sure. She cared so much about volunteer monitoring, both in terms of the community of people we are, and in regards to striving to allow us to share resources and knowledge among programs so we could build successful programs. Her work through the newsletter and in her educational workshops has benefited so many. What a loss - to her family and friends, and to volunteer monitoring and its community!

Kris Stepenuck
Water Action Volunteers Stream Monitoring Program
Madison, WI

Friday, February 10, 2012

Thank you Ellie for a wonderful publication, The Volunteer Monitor. I read every page from 1990 to 2010 and incorporated several ideas from the monitoring community into my own volunteer monitoring programs. Ellie's ability to bring volunteer monitoring to all interested parties is greatly missed.

I saw Ellie from time to time at conferences and she was always a gracious supporter of volunteer programs.

Steven Cochrane, former director Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center, former coordinator Snapshot Day SF Bay Region, former education director Friends of the SF Estuary, currently field biologist LSA, Assoc., Inc.

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