Ella M. (Irby) Woodruff

Ella was born in Doretta, New Mexico to Enola Mae (Morrow) and Charles Lambright Irby. The family left New Mexico and moved to Fraser, Colorado, when Ella was 21 months old and remained there for 14 years. When Ella was a junior in high school the family moved to Greeley, Colorado, where she graduated and went on to complete one year of college at Colorado State College of Education. She met her future husband, James B. (Jim) Woodruff, there.

Jim and Ella got married in 1943 in New Haven, Connecticut, while Jim was in Officer Candidate School and thus began her life as an Air Force spouse. Though challenged by four long separations when Jim served in Germany, Korea, Vietnam, and Virginia she loved the military life and embraced the chances it offered her to see the world. She and Jim lived in and thoroughly enjoyed exploring Connecticut, Kansas, Louisiana, Indiana, the Philippines, Ohio, South Dakota, Thailand, and Colorado.

Devoted to raising her children, Ella centered her life on creating a peaceful, warm, and welcoming home for her family. Once grown the children welcomed her into their homes which gave her a chance to visit far flung places in the United States, Europe, and Central America.

In retirement Ella made her home in Meeker, Colorado, and Arvada, Colorado, before moving to Rogers, Arkansas, in 2008. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the highlight of her retirement years. She never missed a chance to spend time with them and loved to pitch in and help wherever and whenever she was needed or wanted.

In honoring Ella’s life and legacy we remember her as a loving and faithful wife; dedicated mother; devoted grandmother; admirer of nature; champion of children and animals; lover of beautiful music, history, and travel; and a believer in looking at things through the lens of acceptance, forgiveness, and a massive dose of good humor. One of Ella’s most remarkable qualities was her capacity for friendship. She touched the lives of so many with her open mindedness, warmth, friendly demeanor, and kindness.

Ella is survived by her children: Cyd Pitts of Rogers, Arkansas; Schele (Dan) Mongeon of Alexandria, Virginia; and Si (Susan) Woodruff of Meeker, Colorado. She also leaves behind seven adored grandchildren, JR (Heather) and Ben (Terrie) Pitts, Matt (Emily) and Murphy (Josie) Mongeon, Kimberly (Brady) and Chad (Heather) Woodruff, and Jen (Rhett) Walker; 14 cherished great-grandchildren, Levi, Emma, Lexi, Landon, Jolie, Kamryn, Rafe, Tanner, Emilee, Maverick, Brennan, Jack, Bryce, and Evy; nieces Kay O’Rourke, Sue Evans, Lynne Woodruff, and Kelee Sundell; nephew Dean Irby; and the family of her beloved brother Bernard in Gunnison, Colorado.

Ella was preceded in death by her parents, seven siblings, Jim Woodruff, and her former son-in-law, Ross Pitts.

After having traveled the world and marveling at all the wonders it offers Ella chose Fraser as her final resting place. Her cremated remains will be buried in the cemetery there over Memorial Day weekend.