Ruth Ellen Scholly

Mrs. Ruth Ellen Scholly (Bird)

Ruth Ellen Scholly (Bird), age 89, died on July 19, 2025, at her home in Glenview, Illinois. She was a dedicated grandmother, mother, wife, teacher, and activist who worked hard to make her community a better place for all.

The youngest child born in 1935 to Bennett and Ethel Bird, Ruth Ellen Bird spent her childhood on a dairy farm in Brownsville, Wisconsin with her sister Jean (Culver) and brothers Bob and Stanley. She graduated first in her class from Oakfield High School, which earned her an academic scholarship to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

After receiving her B.A. in Human Development and Family Science, Ellen accepted a teaching job in New York where she taught home economics for three years at a high school on Long Island. There she met her husband Steve, who was serving as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. The couple married in South Byron, Wisconsin, on July 16, 1960, and relocated to Chicago where Steve completed his medical residencies. Ellen and Steve moved to Glenview, Illinois, in 1971 and remained an integral part of the community for over 50 years.

An outgoing, high-energy woman with a passion for hard work and a commitment to serving others, Ellen found her calling in political advocacy and community engagement. Ellen was always eager to get involved, which was evident in her decades of service and leadership roles within the League of Women Voters, Glenview Community Church, Glenview Public Library Board of Trustees, and Chicago Botanical Gardens. Ellen also worked tirelessly to register voters, campaigned for the Equal Rights Amendment, and helped "Save the Grove" in Glenview.

Ellen was an academic scholar and highly trained educator. In the early 1980s, she received a masters degree in political science from Northwestern University and went on to teach undergraduate political science classes at Northwestern University, Oakton Community College, Roosevelt University and Northeastern Illinois University.

Ellen loved to travel with her husband Steve; the pair had a passion for ski trips and Road Scholar international travel adventures. Ellen was also an avid golfer and tennis player; into her late 80s, she was still out on the tennis court every week. When Ellen was at home, you could often find her outside. She loved to nurture plants and was an avid gardener.

Ellen Scholly enjoyed spending time with and was very proud of her grandchildren, children and their spouses: Kristen Scholly of Honolulu, Hawaii; Stuart Scholly (Linda) of Lake Forest, Illinois; and Alison Scholly Summy (John) of Chicago; her grandchildren Hannah, Josie, Kory, Bennett, Keean, Kendall, Cynthia and Kandace; her brother-in-law Philip Scholly; and many nieces and nephews around the country. Also fondly remembered is her husband Steve Scholly, who passed away in January 2023.

A celebration of life will be held at Glenview Community Church, 1000 Elm St., (at Glenview Road), Glenview on August 17 at noon. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Night Ministry (https://www.thenightministry.org/)