Ellen Barbara Perl

Ellen Perl, 68, was born in New York, the daughter of Andrew and Muriel Perl. Ellen was a visionary whose creative personality was evident from an early age. While still in her teens, Ellen enjoyed sewing clothes inspired by a handful of 1960's fashion icons.
Ellen found her voice at Smith College, graduating with a degree in art history in 1977. While her passion for art history never faded, Ellen's career took a different direction. In 1983 Ellen earned an MBA at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Having met and married her life partner, Franklin Noel, (their wedding cake was in the shape of a multi-car railroad train) the two ventured west to Minneapolis, MN where Ellen became a marketing executive at The Pillsbury Company. While at Pillsbury Ellen's farsighted vision enabled her to find joy and success in managing large portfolios of Pillsbury brands. She most enjoyed producing edgy commercials for her varied products.
After leaving Pillsbury, Ellen started a successful marketing consultancy where her vision continued to help companies reposition themselves and bring more notable products to market. Ellen's energy was legendary. As a friend remarked, "it seems she packed 30% more into every day than the rest of us."
Ellen's family, friends and her community were top priorities. She always had time to share her passions with her children and her children's children. She loved to travel and would often bring one or more along, to introduce them to art, theater, museums, and other cultural resources her destinations had to offer. While home cooking was never Ellen's thing, she ensured her family was around the same table for dinner.
Ellen delighted in connecting people to one another and regularly and effortlessly hosted parties, seders and holiday dinners. As a friend, Ellen had a way of making time for everyone and did not hesitate to drop everything to take a walk around the lake or talk for hours with a friend in need.
Driven by her creativity and vision Ellen served on the Board of Directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, helping it to make historic decisions that benefitted all Minnesotans, and on the Board of The Children's Theater Company, where she worked to strengthen and grow Minnesota's award winning and world class theater for young audiences.
As she grew weary of Minnesota winters, Ellen spent more winter weeks in southern California to, in her words, "maximize the number of 70-degree days she experienced in her lifetime."
Ellen died far too soon, after a brief bout with an aggressive cancer. Ellen's cancer diagnosis came just as she was hitting her stride in a new role, her favorite by far, "Nana" to her three lively grandchildren.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew, and Muriel Perl. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Franklin Noel; her children, Kate Winter (Peter Winter) and Charles Noel (Navneet Singh); her three grandchildren, Theodore Winter, Griffin Winter, and Mila Noel; her sister, Janet Perl; her nephew, Ben Pejko; and her niece, Emma Pejko.
Memorials preferred to Children's Theater Company, 2400 Third Ave. South, Minneapolis, or to the donor's favorite charity.
Funeral Service Monday, April 15, 10:30 AM at TEMPLE ISRAEL 2323 Fremont Ave. South, Minneapolis. SHIVA on Tuesday, at 7:00 PM; place to be announced.