Ellen Perry CROLL

CROLL, Ellen Perry 1938 - 2017 78, passed away on January 20, 2017 following a long illness with ALS. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland to her devoted parents, Leah Frederick Perry and John Wilkinson Perry Jr. After graduation from Towson HS she earned a B.S. in Home Economics and teacher certification from Hood College, Frederick, MD, in 1960. Following graduation she married Stuart Croll, her husband of 56 years and best friend for 71 years. Her first teaching assignment was Home Economics in Lutherville, MD, then at a rural school in Waiahole, Oahu, HI and Stockton, CA where Stuart served in the Navy. When Stuart's assignments were over, the Crolls began a long career with the National Park Service, living and raising their family in Grand Canyon, Olympic, and Isle Royale National Parks. Ellen relished her park experiences as a wife, mother and homemaker. She was very active in the communities and parks where they lived, teaching and serving in many positions. She was a skilled seamstress, quilter, Girl Scout, writer, a devotee of historic preservation and restoration, and genealogist who enjoyed doing research for her family and friends. Tragedy struck the Crolls when their older son, Scott, was lost in a plane crash in Alaska in 1999. In his memory, Ellen published a moving book compiled of his letters and drawings. When Stuart retired from the National Park Service they returned to Arizona and settled in Tucson, AZ, enjoying frequent trips overseas and to National Parks in the U.S. In addition to her husband, Ellen is survived by her son, Perry (Dina); grandchildren, Parker and Riley; three brothers, John W. Perry III, David S. Perry, Steven F. Perry and families. She also leaves a devoted group of Hood College classmates who were as close as sisters and will miss her daily emails. Ellen had a wonderful ability to work with groups of people, was a good judge of people's character, had excellent observational skills, and a strong sense of integrity. I was a very lucky husband! Plans for a memorial service are pending. Contributions in Ellen's memory may be made to The Student Conservation Association www.thesca.org 689 River Road, Charlestown, NH 03603 1-888-722-9675 or a charity of your choice. The family thanks the Tucson Medical Center Hospice for the quality care, kindness and compassion provided. Arrangements by HUDGEL'S SWAN FUNERAL HOME