Scott and Clare,  
Though there are no words to soothe your aching heart.  Our love, prayers and hearts are with you both during this time.  May her legacy of service, selflessness and love be carried through generations.

With much love,
Elisa and Michael Sierra

My heartfelt condolences to you Scott and Clare on the loss of your beloved Ellen. Wife, mother, daughter, sister, and aunt. She was a great sister in law to me. She was a beautiful vibrant soul and loved life to the fullest. I hope that you can carry that in your heart's as you move foward in life. I know Eddie, Maria and Matt are going to miss her so much. Sending hugs and healing prayers for you and Clare.  Much love Barbara, Chuckie and family and Joni and family.

I just heard the news of Ellen’s passing today. I was shocked and saddened. Ellen was an incredible person with a beautiful soul! 
You were better for knowing her and being even a small part of her life’. I was blessed to serve and Cochair numerous Eye Care For Kids events with her. We have so many fun memories. 
I am praying for you, Claire and Scott and  I hope you find comfort in knowing that Ellen touched all of our lives. 

Anita Albeger

I first met our loving, Ellen, when she interviewed for the Director of Development position at the Museum of Contemporary Art , Madison, Wisconsin. Her overwhelming  personality, warmth and knowledge of the field was extraordinary. At once we connected and with the other two interviewers Ellen was hired on the spot! She and I not only were great colleagues but trusted and loyal friends. Coffee, breakfast, lunch at Nick’s and those wonderful family brunches with her famous French toast stuffed with cream cheese and blueberries!  Remember toddler Clare on the floor next to her Mom’s  Museum desk coloring.  The sadness her Museum colleagues and I felt when she decided to move on…to San Diego.  We kept in touch, both wishing we could see each more often.  She, Scott and Clare were also in our thoughts and the memories have brought us great joy.  She was taken from much too soon….Good night sweet Princess, may a host of angels sing lullabies at your resting place🙏🙏🙏🙏💕💕💕

Valerie Kazamias

I was shocked to learn of Ellen’s passing, it doesn’t seem real. Ellen was bigger than life itself. We worked together at the Madison Art Center and became fast friends. 

Ellen was a gift to the world, working tirelessly for nonprofits, wherever she went. She was a generous and fun loving person with a memorable laugh, a huge heart  and a great sense of humor. 

My heart goes out to her family and friends for this huge loss in all our lives. She was a blessing for us all.

Ellen was one of my closest friends from high school. She was a light that always made me feel special. I remember our many times on High Street going through vintage stores,yes, bars too, and waiting for her to finish her shift scooping ice cream at Gordon’s. Then, the many times we went to the midnight movies to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show, we were so cool. We spent many mornings waking up and making pancakes at Indianola and I felt like a part of her family. We both lost a dear friend in 2007 that also shared many of these moments. Ellen and I have connected off and on throughout the years. Recently I got to see her at our basketball reunion in Columbus. I still felt our close connection because that is the way she made me feel. Love and prayers go out to the Efsics and the Leggs. Gone too soon my dear caring and loving friend.

Ellen was such a great friend and mentor!  We met when my now husband, Matt, brought me to a CAM event and later she helped build a fundraising plan for a Houston dance company that I executed. Throughout that process and afterwards and she continued to mentor me and became such a terrific friend.  When Claire became one of our babysitters, we took another step down the friendship path.  She's gone much too soon and will be missed enormously.  She's leaving a huge hole in so many of our lives.

Deepest of condolences to you and your family.  I first met Ellen at the River Oaks Business Women's Exchange. Ellen was friendly and warmly welcomed me into the group.  It was my pleasure to know her, even for a short time.  Prayers of peace and comfort for your family.

Ellen’s career in fundraising was never just a job—it was her passion, her purpose, and her gift to the world. With tireless dedication, she raised countless funds for the arts, social causes, and medical assistance, leaving behind a legacy that continues to touch lives.

We may never fully grasp the depth of her impact—the young child who wandered through a gallery she helped fund, their imagination sparked into a lifelong love of art. The once-blind individuals who, thanks to her efforts, were given the gift of sight. The countless people whose lives were changed because Ellen believed in the power of giving.

Her kindness, determination, and unwavering belief in the causes she championed have left an indelible mark on this world. As we remember Ellen, we do so with gratitude, celebrating a life that truly made a difference.

Dear Scott, Clare, Mr. & Mrs. Efsic, Ed, Maria and Matt, I am so very sorry for your loss. Ellen was such a delight in every way! Smart, compassionate, thoughtful, fun, funny, elegant, kind and strong in all of the right ways. Thinking back all of the way through grade school I can only see Ellen in a joyful light. Everyone loved her because she loved every one. Ellen was an exemplary person! My heart goes out to you all in this time of loss. Ellen will not be forgotten by the many people that she so warmly smiled upon. May peace be with you all now and always.

Ellen was such a beautiful human being, a generous soul and always an optimist. May Ellen’s memory be a blessing and inspiration. My heartfelt condolences to Claire, Scott and her family and colleagues. (((♥️)))

My very coolest friend, whom I adore. I’m guessing many many others feel the same. You are gift, Ellen Efsic.

Very, very sad to hear this untimely news. I remember her fondly in the Columbus neighborhood as one of the brightest lights. Deep condolences to her daughter and family. Sending love.

Scott, Clare and family, I met Ellen  in high school at CSG. We didn't know each other well then but we got to know each other over the last decade or so ,thanks to facebook. Getting to know her over the past years made me wish that we had connected back in our teen years. Such a wonderful, kind, talented, empathetic soul. I am shocked and saddened to learn of her passing. Holding all of you in my heart

Scott and Clare, my  heart is absolutely broken for you in this unimaginable and terrible loss.   This tribute to her, and her picture, are so beautiful.  I pray that you will feel that you are in some small measure held up by all of the prayers and thoughts concerning you during this difficult time.  God bless you and your family.

I am really saddened by this unexpected news. My sincerest condolences to the Efsic Family. Every memory of Ellen and Scott is a really good one particularly the making of Ellen’s dress made of bed ticking stripes. Ellen’s smile will surely be missed.

Ellen was one of the best people I have ever known. Funny as hell, unfailingly kind, and absolutely brilliant. I am so damn sorry she is gone. Scott and Clare, you have my deepest sympathy. Ellen, you should have been around a lot longer, the world is in desperate need of so many more people like you.

My heart absolutely breaks for you Scott and Clare and Matt and the whole family … and friends who were treated like family. 
What a light in our hearts you are now Ellen. 
What a beautiful blessing you will continue to be for me. 
You loved so gracefully and kindly and OH Ellen!!! Your words of encouragement always!

I am so shocked and saddened to hear this. Ellen gave me one of my first opportunities out of graduate school and remained one of my biggest cheerleaders in the twenty years since. She had a wonderful, bubbly personality and was just a lot of fun, which I always appreciated. My condolences to Scott, Claire and the rest of Ellen's family and loved ones.

I met Scott and Ellen in the mid 1990s, beautiful spirits and souls,
Ellen's warm and gentle nature always put  us all at ease, I must admit it's hard to understand this and my heart is heavy losing this spirit, but I know that very spirit is flying somewhere beautiful.
Love you Ellen

Ellen and Scott were my neighbors until I left Houston in early 2024. I miss them and their dogs. This news is heartbreaking. Such a kind and warm family! Ellen's always joyous smile and droll humor are cherished memories. Scott and Clare my heart is with yours.

Ms. Ellen was the mom of one of my dear friends from church, Clare. Every time I met her - which was only a few times! - she remembered me and asked about me, and it's just a reflection of her generous and fun spirit and her care for others! One year Clare invited me to her family's thanksgiving dinner at their lovely home in the heights. Her mom was an excellent host, of course, and I loved getting to know her better at that dinner and participating in their family traditions. She welcomed me to their family table like I was her own daughter, and I'll always remember her giggles when she realized she forgot the sugar in the pumpkin pie. She truly was a fun and caring mom to my friend, and was always the type to be a stand in mom if you needed one. All my love and prayers are with Clare and Mr. Scott and the rest of your family!! <3 - Meredith Mohr

My deepest condolences to Ellen's family and loved ones. I met her when I served on the Board of Eye Care for Kids. She was a sweet, wonderful soul. May her memory be a blessing to all.

We are so sorry to hear this devastating news.  My deepest condolences to Scott and Claire.   Ellen was a lovely person and I have such fond memories of working together with her at the Contemporary Arts Museum.   She will be deeply missed. 😢❤️ 

Jill Newmark and Margaret Hutto

Ellen and I worked together, with a very special group of people, at The Columbus Museum of Art in Columbus, OH.  Although I was her supervisor, she taught me so much.  From what living on Ohio State's campus as a child was like, to what it felt like to be corrected  in front of your peers (really bad management--and I did it). 
Ellen was very soft-spoken, yet had a very loud laugh.  She loved her work, her family, friends, animals, flowers and all living things.  
Rest In Peace, Ellen, in the knowledge that your time on earth was well-spent, making this world a better place.  

With the fondest memories,
Kathy Meyers

OBITUARY

Ellen Rose Efsic

January 2, 1963 – March 4, 2025

Heights Funeral Home

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