Ellen Davidson

1944 - 2022

Ellen West Smith Davison died November 21, 2022, 5 weeks after a diagnosis of advanced lung cancer. Ellen was born October 1, 1944 in Durham, North Carolina to artist and activist Eloise Pickard Smith and historian Page Smith, the eldest of 4 children. Ellen went to Santa Monica City College and later graduated from Penny University. She was empathetic and cared deeply for those less fortunate, her community and progressive politics, as demonstrated in her work life. In the late 1970's she was an aid to Santa Cruz County Supervisor Phil Baldwin. In the 1980's and 1990's she was the director of the nonprofit William James Association, which her parents started and later worked at NOAA. Ellen was devoted to her family, including regular lunches with her grandsons and raising her granddaughter Samantha Gruys, who she dearly loved. She was preceded in death by her sons Levi and Page Gruys, and her grandson Gavin Gruys. Ellen had a son, David Corey, in her early teens who she gave up for adoption and was reunited with later in her life. Ellen was a combination of strong will, strong opinions, and a great sense of humor. She was thoughtful, generous and patient. A rare and remarkable woman, she was a bit of both witch and wizard with a creative spirit. Ellen appreciated art, crafts, music (especially John Prine), trains, unusual recipes, good books, petroglyphs, sewing, gardening, native plants, and had an affinity for dragonflies. And every Sunday at 7:00 pm she could be found watching 60 minutes. Ellen is survived by her brothers Eliot Smith and Carter Smith, sister Anne Easley, son David Corey, granddaughter Samantha Gruys, grandson Logan Gruys, and great grandson, Cash Coleman.