Phyllis K. Ellman

Phyllis K. 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 PhD. 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. 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, CA 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.