Ellen Powell Obituary

Ellen Powell

South Burlington - Ellen Powell, noted musician, photographer, and environmental activist, died peacefully on November 12, 2019. She was 69 years old.

A Renaissance woman, Ellen was accomplished in many areas. As a jazz bassist, she was largely self-taught but had two influential teachers: Larry Woolridge, Baltimore icon jazz guitarist, and Cecil McBee, one of the greatest living jazz bassists today. She taught piano and bass at SUNY Plattsburgh and led the renowned Ellen Powell Trio and Ellen Powell Quartet. She was a recipient of a study grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and was featured in countless concerts, festivals, and radio and television programs. If it was Thursday night at Leunig's in Burlington, you knew you'd be treated to Ellen playing in intimate combos with fellow musicians. As a photographer, Ellen published her work in Vermont Life magazine and won awards in Northern Vermont Artists Association's shows. She has shown her work at the Gallery at Main Street Landing and Grand Isle Art Works. As an environmental activist, Ellen was a founding member of People Concerned About Chloramine to organize anti-chloramine information and activities in Vermont.

Ellen is survived by her sister, Nanine Rhinelander and her partner Carlton R. Taft of Frederick MD, her brother Neil H. Powell, Jr. and his wife Joanna of Purchase NY, and many loving nieces, nephews, and their children.

Friends and family are invited to a gathering on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at LaVigne Funeral Home, 132 Main Street, Winooski, starting at 10:00 AM. A celebration of Ellen's life in music and art will be held in Burlington in the spring of 2020. For more information, please email [email protected] for details as they become available.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Burlington Free Press from Nov. 13 to Nov. 14, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Ellen Powell

Sponsored by LaVigne Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

11 Entries

Darnay

July 4, 2023

I will always remember your lessons about music and about figuring out what you want from life in the process. I'll always remember the exercises you showed me, the day you let me play your upright and amp at my recital because my gear was TERRIBLE! Such a generous kind person you were. I think about you often, I always will.

January 8, 2020

Dear Ellen, You will be sorely missed, my dear for your wit and huge heart. I am also thinking of Jamie and hope she has found another loving home.
Rest in peace, dear friend.
Pam

Denise Dunbar

November 18, 2019

Rest In Peace, sister. Your kindness, care and wisdom in making the world a better place, will be missed...Well done.

Helaine (Lainey) Rappaport

November 16, 2019

Ellen will be missed dearly. She was a talented person.
She never complained about her illness. She always gave positive feedback to me and several common friends. My condolences to her family and all that knew her.

Helaine (Lainey) Rappaport
Justice of the Peace

Patricia

November 16, 2019

Rest in Peace Ellen. You were a friendly neighbor in Hinesburg & will always be remembered.

Me and my assortment of critters on the farm ... in loving memory of Ellen Powell, a beautiful spirit of love, sharing and togetherness ...

Richard C. IRITANO

November 15, 2019

Me and my assortment of critters on the farm ... in loving memory of Ellen's beautifuland, RICHlife (of love, sharing, and togetherness) ....

Richard C. IRITANO

November 15, 2019

I met my friend Ellen online in early December, 2017. I developed an immediate, psychic bond with her, to the point that I had purchased two exquisitely sharp photographs from her that she proudly framed, with a plan for me to drive up to meet her from my New York City hometown residence, and for us to meet at some midway point between South Burlington where Ellen lived, and from Woodstock, Vermont, where I owned a 19th century weekend carriage house (Ellen wanted to see my reaction once she handed me over the two framed works of hers).

Then, shortly after I had suffered a broken leg in two places, I asked her if she wouldn't mind holding onto the framed works of art instead of shipping them to me in New York, as I had every intention to collect my works in person, so that I could see Ellen, face-to-face, for the first time, and to make a more complete connection to the person with whom I had so lovingly bonded over the course of seven months.

Then, the news came from Ellen that she was suffering from serious, daily pain. I urged her, only three weeks ago, to immediately see a doctor. That's when Ellen called me up only three days later to tell me that she had been hospitalized. I wanted to be with her as quickly as I could make the trip from New York to see her. But, with a broken leg, I wasn't able to get there to see her, as planned. The pain of that setback will now haunt me for the rest of my life.

Only last week I was fortunate enough to tell Ellen how I felt about her; how I loved her, and her genuine friendship, and I hope that those comforting thoughts and genuine feelings will forever remain with her throughout her 'otherworldly' journey through the cosmos. I am deeply saddened that such a beautiful soul has left this earthly coil so early in her gifted and talented life, that was not merely ornamentalbut, RICH in COSMIC PORTENT.

Farewell, my dearest friend Ellen; rest wellI will never forget your delicate and loving soul, like no one else ...

To live in hearts that we leave behind is to not die ...

Annie Dunn Watson

November 15, 2019

So sad to hear of Ellen's passing... Grateful for all she gave us. Condolences to all of you who knew and loved her so well. Rest in peace, Ellen, or, if you prefer, start another band.

Gary Sisco

November 14, 2019

Bon voyage, old friend. I love you.

Nancy Beaven

November 14, 2019

Say it isn't so...One of my longtime musical heroes, starting with her stint with the Nightcrawlers whom I first saw perform when they sang close harmony with the legendary John Cassel Band in 1974. By then she had already won a top prize for banjo (!) at the Craftsbury Festival and contest...so much great music poured out from Ellen... Love you, Ellen, and may you continue to fly high in your new stratosphere. I know you will.

P.S. Friends of Ellen: If you didn't get a chance to see it be sure to check out her Ellen Powell Trio on the VT PBS Archives of "Guest of the House" which they posted last year--she absolutely kills it!:
https://video.vermontpbs.org/video/ellen-powell-quartet-fkqf5n/