Lasting Memories

Ellen Adel Morrison
Nov. 18, 1930-Aug. 5, 2015
Los Altos, California

Ellen Adel Morrison, 84, passed away peacefully on Aug. 5. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 63 years, Keith Morrison, who passed away only six weeks before her.

The oldest of six children, Ellen was born in Gary, Indiana, on Nov. 18, 1930. Her parents, Mary and Otto Reising, were schoolteachers during the Depression. Her father, using the pen name of Paul Strahl, also wrote for Esquire magazine and wrote a novel, "The Quarrel," which was widely reviewed and praised. Ellen's parents instilled in her a lifelong love of all things literary.

Ellen left Gary to attend Purdue University, where she received a bachelor's degree in home economics in 1952. Two weeks after graduation, she married her beloved Keith, whom she had met at Purdue. Ellen then worked in Chicago as an editor for the famed Culinary Arts Institute, where she combined her talent as a superb cook with her love of books, testing recipes and editing cookbooks. In 1954, Ellen and Keith started a family and moved to San Francisco. Over the next 14 years, as Keith advanced in his career, the family moved from California to Michigan to Ohio and then to Texas. Each of their four children was born in a different state. While dedicated to raising their children, Ellen remained involved in other pursuits. Among other things, she taught impoverished families how to eat nutritiously on a budget; she worked as a substitute teacher; and she wrote a food column for an Ohio newspaper, this time testing recipes on her family. The family returned to California in 1968 and moved to Los Altos in 1974, where they resided ever since.

From 1977 until she retired in 2001, Ellen was a teacher at the First Congregational Church Nursery School in Palo Alto. She was affectionately known as "Teacher Ellen" and touched the lives of many 4-year olds. For many of the children, she was their anchor. The children gravitated towards her, and their parents confided in her. Ellen was particularly admired for her acuity in choosing and presenting appropriate books for the children.

Ellen traveled widely with her husband Keith, most recently to Berlin in the fall of 2014. Among her more memorable travel experiences were a summer spent in Paris with a close friend; several trips to Ireland; and journeys to Nicaragua, Machu Picchu and Istanbul. She and Keith also attended the annual Sun Valley Writers' Conference for several years.

Ellen was a lifelong liberal Democrat -- a badge she wore with honor. She was immensely proud of her Irish roots. She was an unparalleled cook. She was a nurturer and confidante for many, especially her children and grandchildren. She was there when anyone needed her, always willing to patiently listen and ready with kind words and support. She was a woman of keen intellect, a true bibliophile and avid reader, who was actively involved in her book group for more than 30 years. Ellen was an inspiring force; she instilled in her children and grandchildren a profound sense of family and loyalty and the same love of literature passed on to her by her own parents. She is and will be deeply missed.

Ellen was devoted to her husband Keith, her children and her grandchildren. She is survived by her four children, Beth Haller of Bella Vista, Arkansas, Mary Morrison of Santa Monica, Fran Morrison of Scotts Valley, and Keith Morrison of Washington, D.C.; her son-in-law Gordon Haller; her daughter-in-law, Jeanette Pablo; and her eight grandchildren -- Kristen Humphrey, Jessica Kemling, Ryan Haller, Ana Lantigua, Alona Morrison, Valerie Morrison, Catherine Morrison and Christopher Morrison. Her siblings, Tom Reising of Illinois, Greg Reising of Indiana, Fran Bartell of Washington and Madge Reising of Alabama, also survive her. Her brother, Paul, preceded her in death in 2010.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and all the caregivers at Stanford Hospital ICU for their care, compassion and support.