Ellen Jaye Goldberg

Ellen Jaye Goldberg

Stuart, FL - Ellen Jaye Goldberg passed away January 16, 2021 in Stuart, Florida after a valiant decade-long battle with cancer. The lives of countless humans and creatures—furred, feathered and finned—were touched because Ellen came into being on April 12, 1953 and devoted the greater part of her life to enriching theirs. Born and raised in Brooklyn, some of her most treasured hours growing up were spent enjoying and exploring the wonders of nature at nearby Jamaica Bay with her precious Dad. This laid the foundation for her lifelong passion for birds and mammals of all kinds. Ellen was a champion of all animals, domestic and wild, and the protection of the environment we all share with them.

With a natural affinity for children of all ages, Ellen graduated college with a degree in education. She spent some time in traditional classroom settings, but focused most of her professional life as a humane educator, using her extensive teaching skills and animal expertise helping others gain a deeper appreciation for all creatures. Ellen did not preach kindness; she guided people by encouraging them to expand their understanding and respect for the interconnectedness of animals and people, nurturing them in the development of their own humane values.

Ellen spent 10 years as an avian educator to children and adults alike with The Raptor Trust in Millington, NJ, always under the tutelage of its respected founders the late Len and Diane Soucy, endlessly increasing her own knowledge and working tirelessly with avian rehabilitation there as well. She remained an active, lifelong supporter of TRT. Following her tenure at Raptor, she spent nine years managing the humane education program at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ. In addition to traditional classroom sessions and hands-on field trips at the shelter, she ran the Center's Kids' Critter Camp summer day program, even while undergoing radiation. To the delight of her campers Ellen pioneered the program's live-streamed "field trips" to The Elephant Sanctuary in TN long before virtual learning became an everyday option. She also innovated and presented St. Hubert's intensive weeklong Teen Animal Welfare Enrichment program for students in substance abuse recovery at DayTop in Mendham, a project she often declared was one of her most meaningful accomplishments.

When retiring in 2015, she was excited to relocate to Florida where she'd have the opportunity to be closer to her brother and her nieces and their children. In "retirement" Ellen followed her passion at Savannah and Hobe Sound Wildlife Refuges. She rehabilitated mourning doves with Busch Wildlife and gently raised and released dozen of swallowtail butterflies. Ellen continued to extend love and care to animals in need by fostering homeless cats for her local shelter right up until her passing.

Ellen faced her extensive medical challenges with grace and strength, eschewing any expression of pity or special treatment from friends, insisting she be treated "normally" by those close to her, continuing to work during treatment while gallantly managing whatever difficulties came her way. Her final gift to the earthly world was to donate her body to science for the benefit of others. She was predeceased by her parents and most recently by her beloved canine companion and popular teaching assistant Lucy. In addition to family she is survived by countless friends in many locations and by members of her Raptor Trust and St. Hubert's families. Because Ellen wore her large and generous heart on her sleeve they all know firsthand who they are. Those who wish may honor Ellen's memory with a gift to her memorial at The Raptor Trust (www.theraptortrust.org) or St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center (www.sthuberts.org/donate).