Phyllis Ellman, 1923-2009

Phyllis Ellman, environmental activist and noted botanist, passed away on June 2, 2009, at home in Glen Ellen. Born in Kansas, Phyllis served in the U.S. Army during World War II and got her BA in Biology at Kansas State University. She earned a master’s degree in bio-chemistry at Washington State College, where she met her husband George. Phyllis taught at Cal Tech in Pasadena while George completed his Ph.D.

Phyllis was descended from the Howell family and her American roots can be traced back to the American Revolution. An ancestor was William Howell who was the military secretary to General George Washington.

Phyllis’ passion was wildflowers and she became known as “Mother Botany” for her vast knowledge of plants. Phyllis was the catalyst for saving Marin County’s Ring Mountain from development by creating a coalition leading to the acquisition by the Nature Conservancy. Walkers can now hike to the top of Ring Mountain on the Phyllis Ellman Trail, an honor given by the Land Trust.

While living in Marin, Phyllis taught classes at the Boardwalk Market about where food came from, becoming a pioneer in the farm-to-table market concept.

Active in environmental issues, together with George and others, Phyllis helped to dissuade the railroad from building seven hotels on the Tiburon waterfront. Phyllis joined a coalition of people including Bruce Ross, Don Pickett and others that successfully negotiated the shoreline park that we all now enjoy in downtown Tiburon.

Proceeds from the sale of Phyllis and George’s home in Tiburon started an endowment fund for Audubon Canyon Ranch.

The Ellmans moved to Sonoma County in 1980. Phyllis became active with the Bouverie Preserve. She was a driving force behind the docent program and was a creator of the singing group Quercus Quire that teaches children about environmental issues.

Phyllis is survived by her husband of 60 years, George, and her daughter Judy of San Francisco, her brother Fred Butcher of Silver Spring, MD, her sister Jocelyn Markley of Ardmore, OK, and her sister Sharon Shepherd of Colorado Springs, CO. Seven nieces and nephews also survive her.

A celebration of Phyllis’ life and great accomplishments has been scheduled for June 27th at the Bouverie Preserve, starting at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, Phyllis desired donations to the Bouverie Scholarship Fund, inspired by her devotion to learning and nature.