Bruce and all of Ellen's family, I am sorry for your loss.
Ellen thank you for all you have done in the glider community. Rest in Peace and be free from all pain.

I'm sorry for such a loss. I personally didn't know her, but know she will be missed by so many, and my sympathy goes out to all of those who knew her.

My heart is so broken. I met Ellen and Bruce early on after getting my gliders and what a sweet lady Ellen was. She would talk to you all hours and answer any questions you might have. We were all pretty new back then and were all learning. She will be greatly missed but we all know that God gained a beautiful and wonderful angel. Bruce you are and wonderful and strong man and I know you will get through this. Sending hugs and prayers to you and your family. Just knowing that Ellen is at peace now and in heaven watching over all of us. May God Bless you and keep you close.

I never got the chance to personally know or meet Ellen, but have heard nothing but wonderful things about her and what she's done for sugar gliders.

You will be terribly missed and always remembered, Ellen. God received a very special angel!

My deepest condolences, Bruce.

So sorry for your loss Bruce. I was lucky enough to join GC when Ellen was still active here. She was a wonderful lady.

Sadly I never knew Ellen, but deepest condolences to Bruce and family.

I haven't posted yet because it's been hard for me to put into words how great the loss of Ellen is in my life. Even though we haven't talked much in recent years (I was always afraid it wasn't a good time and just didn't call often), the impact of Ellen on my life is profound. And the loss of her to this community is immeasurable. Whether or not you knew her, that is true.

Like many, I saw Ellen online long before I met her at the Clarksville SGGA. I still remember the blinged gold shoes and sparkly shirt she wore that first night! That was the SGGA where I met so many of you: Bourbon, KarenE, Alice, Kathy, and so many others.

I remember when Clara gave her the board and she and I were administrators, and we didn't know what the heck we were doing. Software updates that Tom and Eddie could do in their sleep were ulcer-producing as we waited and waited to see if the changes we made worked, or would bring down everything.

Calls at 3:30 in the morning because there was a trouble-maker on the board. The special problems that a certain rogue moderator who shall remain nameless caused problems for the board for so long. We giggled, cried, worried, and laughed so much during those days. Efforts to make it a drama free community were so hard. I wasn't used to that, and it was a crazy time. I thought Bruce Ross was a saint for how much he tolerated the craziness -- and now I know it was just because he loved her that much. I mean, I think he loved the gliders, too, but mostly, he loved that Ellen was so passionate about them.

One of my personal favorite memories - and there are so many - was when I had a sick glider, and my vet was being dismissive about how to intervene. She called my vet and scolded her, and told her "don't you know that this is a SPECIAL glider?" My vet made me a VIP that day and never ever failed to return my calls or take care of me and my gliders' needs after that day.

Bruce and Ellen were behind the first glider diet study - that had never been done before, not by vets or researchers - anywhere. They spent so much of their own money looking into the aflatoxin situation that killed some of their own gliders, some quickly and some over time. And of course, they opened the door wider and wider for thousands of people who needed good, quality information without the bashing that so often accompanied it.

I think their phone number, which has been lost during several phone crashes, will forever be etched in my mind. Bruce and Ellen came to see me once, and we went to the racetrack (Keeneland is not like any other racetrack). We had such a good time that I've had trouble going back there ever since, because it will always be "our" place to play.

There was no topic off limits. She tried to get me married off. We talked religion and sex and politics and all the taboo topics. Even in days where there were disagreements and miscommunications, she was always a friend I knew I could count on, and remained that even after I left GliderCentral.

I loved the stories about about the glider emergencies she would answer the phone for at ALL hours, the stories about what she and Bruce were up to, stories of her dogs, and stories about Delaney, who she treasured.

I just hope she knows how much she meant to me, and that Bruce knows how special the two of them together have been in my life, and how much I grieve for the loss of Ellen and for what that loss means to the glider community. She was a lady, and a unique and special one at that.

I've thought a lot over the past week about how to describe Ellen. Her sacrificial giving of her time and energy, and her passion about people and animals made her someone to cherish. And I do.

Lucy, you expressed you love and friendship for Ellen very well. Through your eyes, I feel like I've had a glimpse of what she truly did for the glider community. It is truly because of people like her that we are where we are today.

My deep condolences to Bruce. GliderCENTERAL is an invaluable resource to suggie owners thanks to Miss Ellen. May her dedication and kindness be an inspiration to us all.

heaven has another angel to care for our lost gliders.
condolences to bruce and family.

Obituary for Ellen:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pilotonline/obituary.aspx?pid=172495581

Thank you for sharing that Lucy.

Thank you Lucy

Our deepest condolences. Although Bozeman and I never knew Ellen, we heard all the wonderful things about her and had the privilege to work as moderators on GC. I'm sure all our babies who crossed rainbow bridge were waiting for her on the other side.

Last night, while cleaning out some stuff, I came across this tiny little plastic Barrel of Monkeys monkey, my Ellen monkey. As soon as I picked it up, I smiled. The memories flooded my brain. Being notoriously known for the whole Barrel of Monkeys thing...and Ellen telling me any chance she got how she and Dr. Bruce HATED those damn monkeys, but loved that the gliders loved them... I squeezed it in my hand and smiled remembering the day she handed it to me giggling at the 2005 SGGA and said, it was from Bruce. Me tormenting Bruce with the barrel of monkeys and Ellen just laughing and laughing. (She even distracted him while I hid them in his hotel bathroom/shower area. ) I decided last night that I was going to drill a teeny tiny hole in it and have a silver bail put on it to add to a cherished charm bracelet. Tonight, I walked past my dresser, saw it lying there and again, picked it up. Now, periodically I check in here...scanning, reading, laughing, smiling, crying, secretly trying to keep up with the community I so dearly loved and still do. Something pulled me to the computer tonight with tiny red plastic barrel of monkey in hand and I am caught off guard by our Mascot crying at the header. My eyes scan the page and I see it...

I have so many fond memories of Ellen (her silliness and motherly advise on the phone, her devotion to Gliders and this community, standing up for what she believed in), the Mother Hen as I liked to call her. What a blessing she truly was.

Lucy, that was beautifully written my friend. (Miss you & so many others here. You have no idea how often I really think of you all. Peggy, Alicia/Chase, Karen, Bourbon, Eddie, Mary, Teresa, oh the list goes on...)

Bruce, my love and heart go out to you and the family. <3 Ellen was loved by many, so very loved.

HOPE!!!! OMG, I miss you!!

I would have called you to let you know but I lost your number. I wish I would have seen you post anywhere but here. I think of you often.

Thanks, Peggy, for emailing and letting me know that Miss Ellen had made the trip over the Rainbow Bridge. Miss Ellen will be missed by many for she has touched more lives than most of us due in a lifetime. She and Glider Central were instrumental in setting me on the right path when I stumbled in with my first little sugar baby, Precious. My gliders have lived long and healthy lives due to the information that Ellen Ross so selflessly shared. In my time as a moderator here, I found Miss Ellen to be fair, kind and generous. May the Glider Central site serve as a living legacy to her dedication and love of these small gentle creatures and their human companions.

We'll take an extra hour in the play room tonight in your honor, Miss Ellen. Extra licky treats all around.

/gentle hugs to family and friends

Hope, Jayel, I have loved reading your post and just remembering those days -- I miss you all!!

So sorry to hear about the passing of Miss Ellen.