This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: ASHBY, ROOD, CONNABLE, AYLEY, MCMINN, HURST Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/22367/mb.ashx Message Board Post: ASHBY, Ellen Rood Died Sunday evening, February 17, 2008 in Oberlin, Ohio of complications of acute myelogenous leukemia, surrounded by her loving family. Ellen was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, August 16, 1929, the daughter of Paul Rood, physics professor at Western Michigan University and his wife, Josephine Connable Rood. After graduating from Walnut Hill Preparatory School in Natick, Massachusetts, Ellen continued her education at Oberlin College, receiving a B.A. in sociology and an elementary teaching certificate in 1951. The connection to Oberlin remained strong throughout her life. After college, Ellen married artist-cartoonist, Fred Ashby of Kalamazoo in 1954. Motherhood, family responsibilities and volunteer work filled her early years. Her volunteer work included participation in the Kalamazoo Service Club, which later became the Junior League, and she helped establish the Pretty Lake Vacation Camp in Mattawan, Michigan for at-risk youth. As an active member of the Kalamazoo communi! ty Ellen wrote frequent "letters to the editor" on social and political issues, one of which was notably published in Time Magazine. Later, she taught pre-school and volunteered in the Kalamazoo public school "Kindergarten Friends" program. In 1995, Ellen returned to her alma mater retiring to the community of Kendal at Oberlin. The 13 years living at Kendal were remembered as some of her happiest times with great friendships and an active community life. Children's advocacy remained an interest and she was a member of many charitable organizations. Ellen also enjoyed art and music, swimming, walking, reading and was an avid traveler. Ellen is survived by her four children and their families, Lia Ayley and her husband, Francis Ayley of Bellingham, Washington, Catheryn Connable McMinn and her husband, Michael McMinn of Delton, Michigan, Frederick James Ashby II, his wife, Stacy Ashby of Chuluota, Florida and Leonard Paul Ashby and his wife, Heather Hurst of New Haven, Connec! ticut and six grandchildren. A memorial service will take place at Ken dal at Oberlin in Oberlin, Ohio, Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 2:30 PM. A second memorial service will take place in Kalamazoo, Michigan at a later date. Memorial contributions may be directed to: New Life Hospice of Oberlin, Ohio, Amnesty International, The Children's Defense Fund, and Oberlin College Museum Friends. Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 2/26/2008. (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.