Clare Ellis

1949 - 2024

Clare Ellis

November 11, 1949 - June 6, 2024

Gold River, California - Born and raised in Eastern Pennsylvania, Clare Ellis spent her early years getting lost in books and plotting her escape. She attended Slippery Rock University where she discovered beat poetry, feminism, and an alternative hippie lifestyle.

Earning a master's degree in library sciences, Clare worked at Princeton University where she met her husband Bill. Their first date was a Frank Zappa concert and they were married for 49 years. Together they lived in the DC area where Clare worked at the Library of Congress before eventually moving to California and working for the Sacramento Public Library.

Clare loved being a librarian and found her work fulfilling. She became the founding librarian and manager of SPL's Sacramento Room. She was a much respected and beloved member of the library and Sacramento history preservation community.

Once raised Catholic, Clare eventually found her way to Druidry where she practiced honoring nature, ancestors, and the natural cycles of the earth. She once traveled to Ireland with a Druid group to visit magical locations-wells, springs, ancient stones, hills, and trees where folktales suggested fairies may dwell.

Witty with a sassy sense of humor, Clare was a compassionate friend who deeply cared about the people in her life. Always curious and forever learning, Clare absorbed everything she could about that which she loved-nature, art, books, cinema, history, cats, and music (especially Bruce Springsteen). She is survived by her husband Bill and her daughter Diana (who apologizes for the yearlong delay of posting this obituary).

A celebration of life for close family and friends occurred November of 2024. To honor Clare, please think of her when you look at the ocean, hear birds chirp, feel moved by music, or any other beautiful moment in this strange world we live.