Ellen Camhi

She was born in New York City in 1939, only child of Arthur and Dora Post. She attended Bronx High School of Science, then Russell Sage College, where she fell madly in love with Alfred Camhi attending RPI. They were married in 1960, and moved to Stamford shortly thereafter. Her loving marriage of 30+ years was a true model for any couple.

Her greatest passions in life were her family and politics, in that order. She was always incredibly close with her sons Keith and Glenn. She and Al enthusiastically supported all their endeavors, from starting companies to writing and directing movies. She was also a much loved mother-in-law to Keith’s wife Jyl Danaceau Camhi and Glenn's husband Paul Felix.

Her grandchildren gave her particular joy above all. She was very proud of grandson Alec’s great interest in politics from a young age and loved that he would call her on his walks home from school to talk about current events. She loved grandson David’s energy and fun loving spirit, which gave her great joy and amusement. She overcame a lifelong fear of flying at age 71 when her grandchildren moved to Colorado, and visited frequently over the last couple years.

She began her career as a 2nd grade teacher. Her passion for public education led her to run for the Stamford Board of Education, where she served for 12 years, including several terms as President. She was then drafted into service as chairman of the Stamford Democratic party, where she served for an unprecedented 28 years, and is credited with uniting the party and making it a force in the community and the state.

While many think of politics with a negative connotation, Ellen was proud to be called a politician, because she knew what a positive effect she could have on our community and on people's lives through the political process and by getting good people into office. She had no patience for people who stood on the sidelines and complained, always saying “politics is not a spectator sport.”

She was extremely proud of having helped launch the political careers of great people in Stamford including George Jepsen, Dan Malloy, Andrew McDonald and Richard Blumenthal, whom she collectively considered her other sons. Gov. O’Neill got her involved in state politics and supported her run for the Democratic National Committee in 1988, where she served as a CT Delegate for 25 years. She was proud to be a confidant of Sens. Dodd and Lieberman, and many others in Stamford and around the state.

On a local level, she cared most strongly about children and the excellence of the public schools. She also cared deeply about civil rights, from her early days on the school board with minority rights and desegregation to recent battles for expansion of gay rights.

She was a relentless fighter for the causes she supported. Various stories have surfaced about her unusually "dedicated" approach to defending the schools in particular, many detailed in this paper over the years. She always assured her family that the reports of her antics were all greatly understated.

She was honored with many awards for her service, but never took herself too seriously. To her it was about making a difference and having fun doing it.

Ellen always had fun no matter what she was doing, and her enthusiasm was infectious. She loved a crowd and being surrounded by friends and family. She loved summers at Cape Cod, sunsets over the bay, big parties at her house, skiing in Vermont, meeting friends in New York, dinners at L’Bretagne with husband Al, walking in the Stamford Parade with her grandsons, Little League games at Scalzi Park, and evenings laughing with long-time companion Gabe Rossi.

Ellen is survived by sons Keith and Glenn, grandsons Alec and David, daughter in law Jyl Danaceau Camhi, son in law Paul Felix, companion of many years Gabe Rossi, step sisters Linda Danaceau and Donna Fuhrman, brother in law Jeff Camhi, and beloved dog Maggie.

She was predeceased by husband Alfred Camhi (1992), parents Dora and Arthur Post and stepmother Beulah Post.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Ellen Camhi Scholarship Fund, c/o Claire Fishman, 1 Clover Hill Drive, Stamford CT 06902. Or to Lambda Legal, www.lambdalegal.org.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, March 3 at 11am at Congregation Agudath Sholom Temple 301 Strawberry Hill Ave Stamford, CT. To leave an online condolence please visit www.leopgallagherstamford.com