Ellen Katherine Butler Bierbower

Ellen passed away peacefully on April 5 at her home at age 99. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in a traditional Catholic family whose parents helped develop her character, education and ambition. She graduated from Trinity Washington University in 1947 with a degree in Chemistry and returned to Boston to work in the Biochemistry Laboratory of Massachusetts General Hospital.

While in college, she met the love of her life, James J. “Jim” Bierbower, at age 19 at a tea dance. Jim told two college friends from Georgetown University, “See that redhead by the piano? That’s the girl I’m going to marry.” They married in 1948 and settled in the Washington, DC area, where Jim was a law student at Georgetown University Law Center and worked for the CIA. Ellen became a chemist at the Cancer Research Lab of George Washington University.

They raised their four children in Chevy Chase and Bethesda, MD. Jim, a former Marine Corps fighter pilot in the Pacific during WWII, practiced law in Washington for almost 40 years.

Education and health were central values in Ellen’s life. She also passed along to her children her curiosity about the world, her sense of humor, her love of spirited political discussion, and appreciation for art and culture.

An enthusiastic traveler, she visited 49 of 50 states, kissed the Blarney Stone, and transversed the Corinth Canal. She had a deep curiosity about the world and issues shaping it. She stayed closely attuned to the news and welcomed thoughtful discussion, always listening and never disparaging another person’s beliefs.

She believed that laughter was the secret to a successful marriage. With Jim, she lived that belief fully, filling their home with humor, warmth, and love.

Ellen also shared her love of art as one of the first docents at her beloved National Gallery of Art, where she was recruited and trained by its renowned director, Carter Brown.

Ellen was an active volunteer at her children’s schools, Stone Ridge, Madeira, and Landon.

She moved to Maplewood in fall, 2016, several years after she lost Jim to Alzheimer’s. There, she stayed involved in her community, serving on the Library and Flower committees. She enjoyed reading, mostly non-fiction, socializing, and keeping up with the world around. She began each day with a cup of coffee and The Washington Post.

Ellen and Jim were parishioners of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. She was a member of the Sulgrave Club and held widows’ privileges at the Metropolitan Club. She regularly promoted Washington, DC as the most exciting city in the world. Among her many roles in life, some of her favorites were captured in the affectionate nicknames she carried: “Big Red,” “Elegant Ellen,” and “Grammy.”

Ellen is survived by her four children, eleven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Mark (Eleanor) Bierbower and their children Laura Zech (Drew), James (Poone), and Ricky (Elizabeth). William J. (Winkie) Bierbower and their children Christopher (Dorothy Lou), Will (Begum), and Thomas (Samantha). Ann (John)Lally, Jack (Demi), and Mark. Joan (Woody) Kaye, William, James, and Katherine.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, her parents, her brothers Lawrence and William, and her sister Patricia.

The family thanks the staff of Maplewood for their excellent attention, as well as her caregivers Gloria, Mercy, Allison, and Norah, and Maye, for their kindness and dedication.