Ellen Travis Addington

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Dear colleagues,

On September 29, 2025, my former spouse, Ellen Travis Addington, completed her life journey. Ellen had been cared for in the memory care unit of Brookdale in Glendale AZ for just over 1 year; prior to that she was cared for by her daughter, Kathleen. She was dealing with the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Ellen was born in Safford, Arizona and raised in Cottonwood, Arizona, a section of the state known as the Verde Valley. Her mother was a teacher and a talented artist, who became very active in teaching Native American children and adults to read and write, when someone made the mistake of telling her that they were “stupid and could not be taught”. Her father was a Civil Engineer who was involved in the mapping and layout of the streets in Phoenix. He was also involved the design of Boulder Dam (later named Hoover Dam). In Cottonwood he was a small-town newspaper man and printer. Ellen and I met at Arizona State University in Tempe. I was privileged to be her marriage partner for eighteen years. We brought three incredible human beings into this world: Kathleen Deborah, James Robert (both residents of Glendale) and Daniel E.M. (he and spouse, Cindy, reside in Washington state).

We knew Ellen as an incredibly gifted artist – accomplished in acrylics, oils, water colors and alcohol ink – skilled in culinary arts, a seamstress, quilter and able administrator. She was a Vista volunteer and volunteered at a local art gallery, occasionally teaching art classes and assisting budding artists.

Shortly after we joined the Order in January 1965, she was assigned to manage the Ecumenical Institute kitchen, an especially challenging assignment given the multitude of on- campus seminars E.I. sponsored at the time. This assignment enhanced her administrative skills and prepared her to manage the kitchen for Grady Gammage Hospital in Atlanta during our time as part of the “troika” of the Atlanta Religious House in 1968-69.

In subsequent assignments she worked as an office administrator; first for a French lawyer in Washington D.C., then in Montreal Canada and Sydney Australia. Following our time in the Sydney House, Ellen was part of the priorship team of the Manila Religious House. She was a very able pedagogue and group facilitator. We were part of the team that did the second research and training tour of Latin America in 1968. We were also part of the ICA team that conducted the first International Training Institute in Nigeria in 1976; then, shortly afterward she was involved in the initiation of the Ijede Human Development Project. She also served in the Delta Pace Human Development Project, prior to being assigned to the Phoenix Religious House.

Ellen left the Phoenix House in 1981, but remained in the Phoenix area until her death (except for a brief sojourn in southern California). She worked many years in typesetting, computer graphics and prepress production, becoming skilled with information technology. She is survived by her three children, two granddaughters (Sarah Elizabeth and Emily Victoria, residents of Washington state) and sister-in-law, Louise Addington.

~~ Peace, James Addington

Remembrances

James, I celebrate with you and your children Ellen’s life. She was a crucial part of Suzanne’s and my life in Chicago, Atlanta, and during the Summer Research Assemblies and Global Order Councils. Peace be with you and her family in this time.
~~ Bill Parker

What memories flood in learning of Ellen’s passing. The biggest memory is the fall of 1969, when everyone in the Washington DC house was ill with hepatitis except Ellen and I. We had to take care of everyone! What a learning curve that was. Peace and love,

~~ Karen Snyder Troxel

Thank you James for the story of Ellen’s incredible and beautiful life. Sent with love?❤️

~~ Nancy Lanphear

Dear James, I appreciate very much the note you have sent about the completed life of Ellen.I was very fond of Ellen and though I only worked with her on short assignments I felt her depth and mystery and greatness. Her life was very well lived and thank you for giving us all such a beautiful tribute to her. With my love , ~~ Isobel Bishop

Dear Jim, It always amazes me, when I stand present to the “final stories” of my beloved Order Colleagues, how much I never knew about their gifts and accomplishments in their previous (and even their ongoing) lives. From what you have written, your former wife Ellen was a super star in multiple categories, as were so many women during the decades when women were discounted. I remember her as a quiet, reflective, profound observer of all the “flurry and activity” we tended to be engaged in. She was especially thoughtful and reflective when she participated as part of the teaching staff of the Fifth City HDP Consult in 1976. It was at that time I came to admire her most.

Joe and I were interns on the West Side in 1968 when Ellen was managing the food services in the Admin Building. I was totally impressed with her calm presence, and ability to handle crises that would arise from time to time, including the weekend the giant coffee machine broke down. No Starbucks or McDonald’s for us to resort to, so I quickly learned my splitting headache (and grouchiness) was due to caffein withdrawal. Soon that summer she was busy training Claudia Cramer to take over in September, another lady who took charge with style and competence, thanks to Ellen’s example.

~~ Marilyn Crocker

I have very fond memories of you and Ellen during our early years in 5th City, and again during the year we spent together in Montreal. Please convey my condolences to Kathy, Robert and Daniel.

~~ Marsha Hahn

I did not get a chance to work withEllen after our time in the Atlanta House but she was such a supportive, helpful, insightful colleague that one never forgets. Thank you for sharing her wonderful gifts and accomplishments with us.

~~ Jean (Baringer) Watts