Ellen Toll

1955 - 2015

Ellen Toll died in Anchorage, Alaska, on Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, from ovarian cancer. She was 59. A potluck and celebration of her life will be held after the Sven Johansson Ski Race in the Kincaid Chalet on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015. Celebrants are encouraged to race or cheer from the sidelines - a fitting tribute to Ellen as she excelled at both activities. Details can be found at the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage (NSAA) website (www.anchoragenordicski.com). Ellen was born on June 29, 1955, in Denver, Colo., to Henry and Lydia Toll. The third of five children, she grew up alpine skiing, rafting big whitewater rivers and hiking in and around Colorado with her spirited family. After high school, Ellen migrated east to Williams College, graduating in 1977 with a degree in geology. While at Williams, she nurtured a growing fervor for cross-country ski racing and became one of the first captains of the women's team. Her stamina, strength, skill and commitment stood her in good stead and she qualified to ski in the 1977 NCAA XC championships. After college, Ellen's love for outdoor adventure lured her to Peru, where she rowed raft support for three American kayakers on the first descent of the wooly Maranon River, one of the largest tributaries to the Amazon. Insatiably curious about the world, she traveled extensively, including rambles through Europe with her brother Ned and a two-woman bike trip across Canada. Returning to the Rockies to attend the University of Denver Law School from 1979-1982, Ellen specialized in natural resource law. After clerking for the federal court in Denver, she joined the law firm of Welborn, Dufford, Cook & Brown, but was never entirely comfortable with law as the focus of her life. In 1986, Ellen met Dave Blanchet, who was in Denver on temporary assignment from Alaska. Ellen resigned and, following a hiatus to trek and climb in Nepal, moved to Anchorage to test the Alaskan waters. Ellen fell in love not only with Dave, but with Alaska. In 1987, she began working for the State Attorney General's office as an oil and gas tax attorney. She was briefly fired in 1991, by Governor Hickel, for protesting State road construction on the Copper River, but was quickly reinstated as public sentiment leaned against the Governor. Ellen and Dave took as much time as they could spare from demanding jobs to hike, paddle, ski and row in the wilds of Alaska. They were married in December 1989. In May 1997, Ellen gave birth to her daughter, Lydia, and unquestionably regarded this as her greatest lifetime achievement. In 1999, she resigned her law job to follow her calling as a full-time mom. As with so many of her other endeavors, Ellen excelled at motherhood. She shared her passion for adventure with her daughter and husband through boating and backpacking expeditions in the Alaskan wilderness and trips to the American Southwest, Colorado, New England, Mexico, Europe, and South America. Through example, she showed Lydia how to navigate life with zest, determination, humility and compassion. As Lydia grew, Ellen took a larger and larger role in the Anchorage Nordic ski community. Ellen became Director of Anchorage Junior Nordic League in 2003, and over the next 11 years continually developed this landmark kid's ski program. She became a staunch board member and secretary to NSAA and also served on the board of Cross Country Alaska. Ellen volunteered at countless school and citizen ski races, and for the last seven years teamed with Dave to coordinate the Anchorage Middle School ski races. She has been an unrelenting fan at almost all of her daughter's races, encouraging everyone along the way. Ellen was driven by a strong sense of community and approached every task with energy, integrity and dedication. Ellen crafted gorgeous quilts that were an explosion of color. She loved creating them, but even more she delighted in giving them to others. Blueberries were rarely left unpicked if she was in the vicinity, and friends were not shy about begging for her trademark and indescribably delicious "chocolate bondage" cake. Ellen is survived by her husband, Dave Blanchet; daughter, Lydia Blanchet; mother, Lydia Toll; siblings, Wolky of New Mexico, Bill and Lois of Colorado, and Ned of Massachusetts; along with a large extended family and a wide network of friends. Ellen could not have been kinder, more loyal or accomplished. A worthy goal for those who will never stop missing her is to strive to live with the same grace and spirit. Donations in Ellen's memory can be made to the Ellen Toll Trail Fund, through the NSAA (203 W 15th Ave. #204, Anchorage Alaska 99501).