Ellen Marie Egan Bell, 64, passed away on October 22, 2014, in Helena due to injuries from an auto accident. Born July 10, 1950, in Lewistown, Montana, she was the first of seven children of Tess and Ken Egan Sr. A gifted student, she graduated in the top 10 in her high school class and completed a B. A. in Elementary Education at Carroll College and an M. S. in Educational Technology at Walden University. Her interests and knowledge were diverse and expansive. Ellen served Lewis and Clark County and the City of Helena as an Information Technology and Software Trainer for the past five years. Prior to that, she worked with the Montana Red Cross, taught elementary school, managed her own daycare, and owned and managed an office supply store in Helena. At the time of her death she was building the business Stirring Up Wellness, dedicated to helping individuals achieve healthy living through informed nutritional and lifestyle choices. Ellen was devoted to community service. Among her many civic efforts, she served on the Helena Citizens Council, a volunteer group of citizens advising local government. She was especially gratified to help lead the Capitol Restoration Project from 2003 to 2008. Ellen was the loving mother of Kris and Greg Bell and grandmother of Cheyenne and Kylie Kaufman. She often told affectionate stories of her grandchildren’s exploits in school and beyond. Her brothers and sisters remember her as a kind, encouraging, gentle soul with a sly wit. Dedicated to the welfare of others, she found the right words to nurture confidence and achievement. She also loved to travel to places such as Ireland, Alaska, Santa Fe, St. Louis, and the West Coast. Ellen is survived by her children and grandchildren, all of Helena; her sister Jane Egan and her husband Dean Brumberger of Helena; sister Anne Egan of Portland, Oregon; brother Neil Egan of Santa Fe, New Mexico; brother Dennis Egan and his wife Maria of Redmond, Washington; brother Ken Egan and his wife Terry of Missoula; and brother Pete Egan and his wife Becky of St. Louis, Missouri. Ellen was the caring aunt of many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents. A celebration of Ellen’s life will take place Thursday, October 30 at 4 pm in the Great Northern Hotel Convention Center’s Oriental Room. Given her love of animals and commitment to others’ well-being, gifts to the Humane Society and the United Way would serve as fitting memorials.
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Theresa Meek says
1 file added to the album Ellen
george and judy Mccauley says
we would like to send our condolences to Ray and his family in the passing of Ellen.
Our prayers are with you and our families. George and Judy McCauley
Tamrah says
Ellen,
We will miss your smiling face and easy going nature 🙂 You were a bright spot for many of us each day and you will be greatly missed.
Sharon Davis says
God Bless you in this time of sorrow. Ellen was a co-worker and more over a wonderful friend. Her smile, kindness and humor will be sorely missed. May her memories and love bring you peace.
Morgan says
Ellen was a wonderful person. I’m so glad to have met her and shared our “wellness” stories.
Chet and Colleen Dever says
Memories…On many a Saturday morning, as Chet and I headed to “Mama Knows”, we were pretty certain that we would see Ellen there. And we did. And it was always such a treat to talk with her. Her generosity and kindness will be long remembered. We will miss her… and to Ray and the family, our deepest sympathy. May God comfort you and give you peace. — Chet and Colleen Dever
Maria says
My prayers are with Ellen and her family. I worked with Ellen and she was always readily available to help when needed and I will miss her terribly. She is with her Dear Lord and looking upon us all. God Bless.
Gina says
Ellen was a wonderful co-worker. I will miss our chats and her presence across the hall. I missed our conversations when she took Wednesdays off and I always looked forward to her return on Thursday. My heartfelt condolences to her family. I know they will miss her greatly! Gina at IT&S
Marty says
Ellen was such a wonderful person, always looking out for others and helping in any way she could. We will always remember her kindness when Sam was sick and she shared her home with us. I will miss her sweet smile and gentleness. God’s peace and comfort be with all who knew her. Marty S.
Val Bigelow says
Ellen was a super wonderful person. She was always helpful and had a smile when I asked her for computer help when I worked in Records at HPD. She had given me a plant that is growing tall, and I think of her every time I look at it. I am so very sorry to hear of her passing. My prayers are and have been with her family. Val
Betty Brewer says
Lit a candle in memory of Ellen M Bell
Betty Brewer says
I am so sorry for your loss. Ellen is and will always be a beautiful light to those who have had the blessing to have known her. She was always doing for others and put them first in her life, but her family was always first. She always was there for everyone one and I will never forget getting to know her through Brownies with my children and the camps at Camp Thunderbird. I always admired and will always admire her love of doing things others. I pray that God places his loving arms around all of her family and pray that each of you can look to heaven so see her watching over each and every one of you. God Bless each one of you. Healing to each of you! Betty Brewer
becky baraby says
So sad to hear of Ellen’s passing. She was so friendly, helpful, and patient.
Rebecca Baraby
J says
Ellen was my Girl Scout troop leader more than thirty years ago. I remember her well as kind, patient, creative, and a lovely person. I am so very sorry for the deep pain and loss that her family and friends are experiencing.
Jan Williams says
Ellen was always a phone call away for me and my lack of computer savvy. I could depend upon Ellen to help me through any number of issues with computer programs that were plaguing me at that time. I will miss her smile and her gentle guiding way. I’m glad I had the opportunity to get to know Ellen.
Jan Williams
Rinay Bender says
Ellen will be missed. I’m so sorry for this sudden loss of such a kind and compassionate person, Ellen. I will keep her family in my prayers and hope that through the tears, you will see her smile and hear her laugh that she so generously shared with others every day. God Bless.
Jan Cronin says
My heart goes out to all of Ellen’s family. Ellen was my first real female mentor, who taught me accounting and payroll and encouraged me even when to me it was one of the most frustrating things I had ever tackled. She was in and out of my professional work career from 1976 right up to now and always was interested in my latest accomplishments. I saw her always strive to mentor anyone who showed interest in learning, a tribute to her teaching career. She stood up for anyone not strong enough to stand for themselves until she taught them how to stand and mentor people they knew needed help and promoted gender equality and advocated against sexual violence and so many other worthwhile issues. Through many of her own businesses and positions in prominent non-profits, she was either one of my printing and advertising accounts or on some of the same business boards I was on. She always believed and followed anyone she mentored – she will be missed by so many. I will miss our conversations and her porch stoop will be so empty when I walk Jamie and no longer stop to chat – she had been a neighbor for several years now. Ellen, cross over easy.
Jan Cronin
Stacy Sommer says
What a wonderful lady, we will miss her. She did so much to help with the playground at Centennial Park.
laurie Wiedmann says
Dear Family of Ellen,
I am saddened to hear of your loss. I have known Ellen for years, often running into her in a variety off settings in many places of community service, starting with the teaching profession. We shared greetings, updated our doings and conversed about everything. Ellen raditated a kind and interesting life spirit. She was full of knowledge and willing to share. I remember clear sparkly eyes and a soft demeanor. Although we didn’t socialize it felt as if we knew each other well. You are all in my prayers.
Laurie Wiedmann
Olivia Tooley says
Lit a candle in memory of Ellen M Bell
Olivia Tooley says
The news of Ellen’s passing was a great shock. We met when we both served on the Helena Citizen’s Council. She was very knowledgeable in the workings of the group and readily shared her experience with us newbies. I will always remember Ellen as a kind and friendly lady. Rest in peace dear lady.
Laurie says
Ellen, I will miss you… always helpful and kind. You made errors, correctable and problems simple challenges. Most of all, thank you for sharing with all your co-workers a ray of optimism and cheer.
Tonna Strasko says
Ellen and I had a special relationship. Ellen replaced me as the Computer Software Trainer at the County. She was a special lady who loved to teach others. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Tonna Strasko
Natisha Lee says
I did not get a chance to meet her, and was very excited to meet Ellen for my Training with IT&s . Seemed So Sweet, -God Bless
Marie Moran says
My sympathy and prayers to Ellen’s family. I worked as a teachers aide in her Montessori preschool many years ago and Ellen was a great teacher. I’m so sorry for your loss. Marie
Anonymous says
Sweet Solace Spray was purchased for the family of Ellen M Bell.
Tim Gazy says
All our sympathy from the KXLH Television team here in Helena. Ellen was our landlord and a very kind woman indeed. She was always responsive to our needs as tenants. I will miss her gentle nature and good humor. Rest in Peace Ellen.
Tim Gazy
Joanne Homier says
Ellen was my mentor years ago and then we re-connected at the annual NAMI Walk. She was always willing to volunteer her time at the Walk. We will miss her kind, soft spirit. God be with you.
Joanne Homier
Bernadette Lahr says
Ellen was an amazing teacher,mentor and friend! Ellen and I shared many many conversations and laughs and even hugs. She was always very open to a good hug and hugs always worked both ways – hugger or huggee.
I was very shocked and saddened to hear of Ellen’s death. She was certainly one of the good ones and I was blessed to have spent time with her.
So very sorry for your loss,
Bernadette Lahr
Frank Rives says
Ellen possessed the qualties of a great teacher: intellect, patience, and an ability to explain complex things simply. More than a few times she helped me get through a thorny problem by thinking around the problem and experimenting. She was also kind, funny and conscientious. She is an excellent example of a life well-lived and many people are better for having known her.
FWR
Kris says
Thank you Theresa..what a great pix
Elaine Myles says
I am so sad that we have lost such a great person. I will think of Ellen probably every day. She always had a smile and a hello. She helped me a lot doing web stuff, which to me was such a blessing. She had such patience and was always so positive. I never hesitated to call on her when I had an issue. She had a quick wit and even when she was upset she always turned it into a positive. I loved her laugh. It made me laugh too. My sympathy goes to all of her family and friends. God bless all of you and you are in my prayers.
Jane says
My condolences to the family of Ellen Bell. Ellen was about to join us for classes with Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo. Even though I hadn’t met her yet, I know how tragic it is to lose a friend and family member. It’s also a great loss to lose someone who understands health and healing so well. We so greatly need more Ellen’s in the world.
I am sending love and healing blessings to all her friends and family.
Jane
Kimberly Worthy says
My condolences to Ellen’s family. She was a great lady and I was lucky to have been able to work with her.
Kim