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Ann Taylor Ellis, 58, died Feb. 9 at her home on the Stanford University campus.
While she had been ill with Anorexia Nervosa for decades, her death was sudden and unanticipated. She died in her sleep in her own bed.
She was the only daughter of Arlee R. Ellis and Arthur W. Ellis. She moved to Palo Alto with her family at age 3 and grew up around the community, attending Green Gables Elementary, Jordan Junior High School and Palo Alto High School. She attended Stanford University, where her mother was a longtime administrative staff member.
While struggling with both Anorexia and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, she pursued many passions, especially surrounding the welfare of animals and children.
She is survived by her brother, Andrew Ellis of Lafayette, Calif. Plans for a memorial gathering are pending. Donations in her name may be made to the charity of your choice.
From Palo Alto Online 2/17/2012
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Brit Harvey
I worked briefly at Children's Hospital at Stanford in 1973 when Ann was a patient suffering from anorexia. It was a shock to see someone I knew from high school so sick and with so little that could be done to help her. I wish I could say I reached out to her in some significant way. I didn't, probably because I was too immature at the time to recognize mental illness as being just as debilitating as the terrible physical illnesses that other patients had. I'm sorry that Ann had such a hard struggle and I'm sorry I didn't help.
Susan L. Wegner (Chevalier)
Ann and I grew up together through Green Gables Elementary, Jordan Jr. High, and Paly. Then, as luck would have it, while I was working at Stanford Hospital as an RN she became my patient for about a week during one of her bouts with anorexia. It was incredibly sad and frustrating to try and help her but know she was beyond my reach. I am amazed she lived to age 58. She is a sister sorely missed.