A native of Williamsville, NY, Ellen was an accomplished artist, professor, critic, writer, and mother of four children. Ellen was a freelance arts critic for the Niagara Falls Gazette, covering local museums and theatres including Shea’s and The Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake. She was a long-time board member of Friends of Niagara University Theatre and taught classes at the Castellani Art Museum. Ellen was a noted artist and held shows at many local galleries, including Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center and the Member’s Gallery of Albright-Knox Art Gallery. She was a member of the Niagara Council of Art