Mary Turrill Ellis

Born Bellingham, WA March 1, 1921, Died at home on December 15, 2016 in Clearwater, FL.

She grew up in Tacoma, WA. She graduated from Annie Wright Academy in 1939. After graduation she worked as a secretary with Army Transport Service during WW II. She lived in New York for several years and studied ballet with Anatole Vilzak and Ludmilla Schollar. She spent time in the Corps de Ballet and danced at Radio City Music Hall. She then moved back to Seattle and worked as a secretary with British Information Service and then a secretary at SeaFirst Bank in the Foreign Exchange department. She moved to San Francisco and worked for the Bishop’s office in Dioceses of California, going to SF Ballet School in evenings. Moved to Berkeley, attended UC Berkeley and worked for them too for adult extension service. She then married Rev. Marshall J. Ellis and her main job became minister's wife. She also ran a preschool in their home in Centralia, WA. They lived in Bellevue, WA, Enumclaw, WA, Gig Harbor, WA, Centralia, WA, Kent WA and when her first grandson was born they relocated to Clearwater, FL to be close to him. She taught introductory ballet at On Top Of the World.

She leaves behind her son Marshall William Ellis, daughter Martha "Marti" Ann Malone, grandson Dylan Charles, & many nephews, nieces, great-newphew & nieces.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts suggested are to St. Alfred's Episcopal Church & Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. A Memorial Service is scheduled for January 14, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Alfred's Episcopal Church, 1601 Curlew Rd., Palm Harbor. Reception immediately following in church hall.