Ellen Marie Hughes

Ellen was born in Abilene, Texas, and spent her early childhood on the family ranch before moving to Georgetown, where she began school at the age of six. She often said she had the most idyllic childhood a girl could have — growing up on East University Avenue with her grandparents living just across the street. With an orchard in the backyard and her beloved horse, Ginger, by her side, Ellen explored every corner of Georgetown, becoming a familiar and well-loved face in the community.

A lifelong learner with an adventurous spirit, Ellen began college at age seventeen at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. After completing the two-year “finishing program”, she attended the University of Texas at Austin. During a summer road trip, she persuaded her parents to drop her off at the University of Arkansas, where she enrolled in summer classes — and stayed for two years. There, she joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, proudly receiving her 65-year pin in 2016, and enjoying many Derby Day luncheons over the decades.

Next, Ellen set her sights on Texas Tech University. She talked her way into the school, while her parents bought and furnished an apartment in Lubbock, where they lived together until Ellen graduated with a degree in English the following year.

After college, Ellen moved to Dallas, where she met Ross Rost, then a dental student. The two married — with her father’s eventual blessing — and began their life together. After Ross completed his military service in Salina, Kansas, they settled in Austin, where they started their family and Ross opened his dental practice. Ellen embraced life as a full-time mother to their four rambunctious children and was deeply involved in the community. She was an active member of the Junior League of Austin, the Women’s Republican Club of Travis County, and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Ellen was also a founding member of QUEST at OLLI at UT and had a lifelong passion for the arts. She rarely missed a lecture, play, symphony, or performance. But perhaps her greatest passion was travel. In June 2015, Ellen accomplished one of her final goals — to journey along all the major rivers of the world. Through her many travels, she made lifelong friends and countless cherished memories.

Ellen is survived by her children: Leslie Rost McConnico (husband Steve) and their daughter Callie; Ellen Courtney (Coco) Rost (husband Gary Ledyard) and daughter Lily; John Dimmitt Hughes Rost (wife Erin) and daughter Lera; and Valerie Rost Grayson (husband Allan Grayson) and children Miles Passeur, Alexander Passeur, and Rex Grayson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Dimmitt Hughes and Lera Brock Hughes.

With a Rusty Nail in hand and love in their hearts, Ellen’s family and friends are raising a glass to a life richly lived.

Contributions in Ellen’s memory may be made to Conspirare of Austin.