Mom,

I have so many great memories of the last 39 years that I had with you. Some of those memories include David Sedaris. I remember being at the airport and playing the celebrity game with you and Dad. (Essentially just people watching, and seeing if anyone resembles a celebrity) You accidentally disappointed a man standing near us when you said "Look, there's David Sedaris!" thinking that only Dad and I were listening. A man standing near us got so excited, looked around and asked "Where?". We explained we were just playing a game, it was a joke and he didn't seem that amused.

A few years later, we actually got to meet David Sedaris together! As he signed my book, he asked us some questions about us, and seemed excited to hear that you were a librarian for over 30 years. When I got my book back, I saw that he had drawn a cartoon image of me. We both laughed and agreed that it had been a great night.

There are so many more stories to tell. I love you. 

I knew Ellen at Carleton and later at our reunions.  She was so settled in herself, in her joys and passions as well as in her everyday life, and in her union of souls with Dick.  That centeredness spawned all the sharing of herself, her talents, and her love that is mentioned above.
It's a trite saying, but here it is SO very true:  She will be sorely missed.