Ellen Lucille Lloyd

When asked to describe Ellen, those who knew her best talk about her beauty, charm, intelligence, and grace. Comfortable in all situations, Ellen’s high personal standards influenced those around her to be at their best.

Hard working and cheery by nature she approached every task prudently and with a sense of purpose. Always in control, Ellen was most comfortable being second-in-command. She was who you wanted by your side. She was fiercely loyal and honest. With her on your team anything worth having in life was achievable. What made her so powerful was that she viewed the world in balanced relationship with her own personal experiences—in short she trusted herself and consistency exhibited good judgment. She was self-reliant, confident, and stayed true to her mid-western upbringing.

Born in a small town in South Dakota she grew up on a farm where rising early and completing chores well into the evening is a happy way of life. Her childhood instilled in her an extraordinary work ethic—somehow she never ran out of energy.

Every day was full of purpose and achievemment. Her name is etched on a plaque in the world Smithsonian National Postal Museum recognizing her days as a civilian female airmail pilot. Flying the mail around South Dakota was a risky business but Ellen was undaunted and was happy to find a way to make a contribution. Totally accountable, She let nothing stop her from accomplishing her task. Thats who she was and thats how she lived her life.

She was also a school teacher. Teaching all ages in a one room school house, she instilled her values on her students teaching them the value of being honest, prudent, orderly, hard working, kind and straightforward.

A direct descendant of the prominent suffragette Lucy Stone, Ellen came by her formidable personality naturally. She combined her amiable manner with immense strength, persistence, and determination.

From Tripoli, Africa to Bad Kreuznach, Germany she traveled the world and raised her children while supporting her husbands career in the American Red Cross. During his long tours abroad she acted as head of household flawlessly managing the family financial affairs while continuing her career and raising her family.

Towards the end of her career she held a coveted and confidential position in Admirals Office of the Western Naval Command on North Island Naval Air Base.

Married 62 years to Francis J. Lloyd they led a idyllic life together on Coronado Island. Ellen was a deeply devoted Catholic and member of Sacred Heart Church of Coronado for fifty-two years. She held deep spiritual beliefs, held high moral personal standards and instilled them in her children.

She was happy in retirement and loved living in Coronado. She found pleasure in gardening and competed vigorously for the annual “blue ribbon’ neighborhood landscaping award. She delighted in her neighbors forming life long friendships, especially with Isabelle and Linda who lovingly looked after her for almost a decade.

Ellen passed away peacefully on February 12, 2017 at Sharp Coronado Hospital. She was perfectly healthy all her life even up to the day when God called her to his side. She is survived her daughter Lyn, son Patrick, grandchildren Sean, Sharon, Scott, Rob and Dave and sister Lillian. Services were held at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Merkley-Mitchell Mortuary, San Diego, CA.