Ellen Frances Pillard died on October 8, 2020, at the Converse Home in Burlington, Vermont, from Alzheimer's disease. As an outings leader for the Great Basin Group, Toiyabe Chapter Executive Committee member, and member of the Club's national board of directors, Ellen was a true friend of the Earth and those around her. Her dedication to the Sierra Club, quick intelligence, big smile, and humor will be greatly missed.
Ellen was born on July 9, 1938, in Yellow Springs, Ohio, the daughter of Basil and Lilian Pillard. She attended Bryan High, graduated from Antioch College in 1960, and received a Masters in Social Work degree from the University of Washington in 1967.
Ellen moved to Reno to join the faculty at the University of Nevada, where she was a Professor in the School of Social Work. She was chair of the Faculty Senate, 1992-93, and received the Alan Bible Teaching Excellence Award in 1986. Ellen was an outspoken feminist, member and supporter of the LGBT community, and a Board member of the Nevada AIDS Foundation. Her academic work derived from her commitment to empowering women. She was involved in the establishment of a Women’s Studies program at the University of Nevada at Reno in the 70s and 80s and taught courses in that department. Her published research was based on interviews with women working as prostitutes under the highly restrictive Nevada state regulations.
Ellen loved nature. She hiked and camped in the mountains, deserts, and canyons throughout the West. She was a longtime member of the Sierra Club and served as an outings leader for the Great Basin Group, on the Toiyabe Chapter Executive Committee, and on the Club's national board of directors. She was familiar with and supportive of Native American culture in the West.
Ellen also loved Vermont and spent vacation time there with friends and family. The final years of her life were spent at the Converse Home in Burlington Vermont. Our family is deeply moved by the outstanding care and the kindness beyond measure provided to our dear Ellen by the staff of the Converse Home, and by Amanda Swevens from Inspiration 2 Independence.
Ellen is survived by her brother, Richard C. Pillard, her nieces, Victoria Pillard, Cornelia T. L. Pillard, Elizabeth Jane Pillard, and by six grand nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Robert T. Pillard
Ellen will be cremated and her ashes buried in the family plot at Grandview Cemetery in Charlotte Vermont. A memorial service is to be arranged.
Donations in her memory can be made to the Toiyabe Chapter Sierra Club and to Antioch College.
If you have fond photos or memories to share, please send them to us, and we will add them to this blog post. We will also share them with her family.
Rest in peace, Ellen. We miss you!