Many thanks to everyone who attended Ella's memorial service, or sent their condolences.
The program for the service is available here.
Here are the texts of (most of) the speaker's remarks:
Denise Brown, director of the Montclair High School Dance Company where Ella danced all through High School, dedicated this year's performance to Ella - see the dedication in the program.
The Macalester Theatre and Dance Department Spring Concert Program also dedicated the performance to Ella, and donated proceeds to her fund.
I believe there are angels here on earth, and from birth, my niece Ella was a beautiful, precious, one-of-a-kind angel. Angels share joy, instill a sense of hope, and inspire those around them to achieve their highest good. That was Ella. While her magnificent head of curls may not have been a typical halo--it was undoubtedly a halo just the same. And though while on earth Ella had no visible wings, I can easily imagine that there were tiny ones folded up and tucked somewhere inside our sweet, kind, gentle, elegant Ella.
But today, we find ourselves facing the inconceivable: a world without Ella….and a world with the unmet promise of Ella. She would have continued to be an extraordinary daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, friend, co-worker, student, professional, and friend. She would have danced more dances and painted many more masterpieces. She would have been the most loving wife and mother. Ella would have continued to blossom into an exquisite woman and would have lived a most meaningful and remarkable life. And she would have worked tirelessly to fulfill her desire to do many things, large and small, to alter the face of the world in the most positive ways.
Ella is no longer an angel here on earth. But she is, and always will be, an angel in the hearts of everyone who loved her&ellip;and clearly, that's a lot of people! Her delicate wings have opened…and by now she has probably made them really cool with beads or embroidery.
Ella has departed too soon and so suddenly, but she left us with an undeniable legacy: to live our lives with more kindness, compassion, understanding, joy, and hope. To be more humble and selfless. To listen, learn, laugh, and love. To work harder to achieve our highest good. If we all do this, perhaps, on Ella's behalf, we can collectively alter the face of the world in the most positive ways. I can think of no better way to honor Ella… my niece, and a true angel.