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ELLEN STERN Obituary

STERN--Ellen Stock. Ellen Stock Stern, age 81, died on August 26, 2023 in New York City. Born in New Haven, she won a city-wide competition at 17 to perform as soloist in a series of concerts with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. She graduated from the Juilliard School of Music in piano. At another keyboard, she was a writer and editor at The New York Times, The Daily News, GQ, and New York Magazine, where she wrote the "Best Bets" column for ten years. Her most recent books are Gracie Mansion, her biography of the Mayors' residence, and Hirschfeld, her biography of caricaturist Al Hirschfeld. Pre-deceased by her husband Peter Stern, Ellen leaves her beloved children, Charles and Katharine, son-in-law Kyle Martin, sister Carol Stock Kranowitz, and darling granddaughter, Daisy.

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Published by New York Times on Aug. 29, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
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Charles Ardai

November 3, 2024

I waited too long! Many, many years ago, Ellen edited the City Kids page for the New York Daily News, which published my first-ever piece of professional writing back in 1981, when I was not yet 12 years old. I've since gone on to write for many magazines, I've written novels and comic books and TV scripts, but it was Ellen who gave me my start, and who knows if any of the rest would've happened the same way if she hadn't? It finally dawned on me today to look for her online so I could thank her -- and after first finding a beautiful piece she wrote about her husband's death, I clicked on the next link and it brought me here. Goodbye, Ellen. And thank you. I wish I'd gone looking for you sooner.

Jerry Kavanagh

September 7, 2023

R.I.P., Ellen, a colleague at New York magazine during the 1970s. Ellen seemed to know everyone in and everything about New York City. Her work and her style, her sheer presence in editorial, helped make New York the best of the city magazines.

Jordan Schaps

September 2, 2023

I´m so sad to learn of the passing of Ellen Stern. We worked together regularly on her Best Bets pages, Summer Pleasures issues and Christmas Gifts issues as I produced the art work for her many pages. She was a dream to work with, with great ideas and open to my ideas. She was an original and one of a kind. She will be missed! Rest in peace, Dollink!

The Board, Staff, and Musicians of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra

August 31, 2023

Our condolences one the passing of a talented lady.

Lorraine & Rob

August 31, 2023

We send our sincere condolences to the family. Ellen was a lovely woman.

Charles Denson

August 30, 2023

Ellen was beautiful, talented, delightful, and witty. I worked with her for many years at New York Magazine when she was writing the Best Bets column. She was an incredible writer and researcher. The Hirschfeld book was a masterpiece! I am so glad that we reconnected over the last decade and that we got to spend time together. Ellen, you left us much too soon . . . You will be missed.

Kathy Berlowe

August 30, 2023

I am deeply saddened to hear about Ellen and send my loving condolences to her family. Ellen was my sister, Betsy's, best friend growing up and was always my favorite. I used to spend time at the Stock's house in New Haven, mesmorized by the girl's fantastic doll house. Ellen and I remained friends and I have spent many wonderful hours with her and Peter in NY as well as one perfect weekend in the country. I shall treasure our friendship always. To a great lady and an exemplary spirit. My life was greatly enhanced by her vibrancy, wit and deep warmth. She was one of a kind!

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