Ellen Leigh Morrison

On the morning of Friday July 10, 2009, Ellen Leigh Morrison passed away peacefully from complications related to cancer while surrounded by her family and the sounds of all four of her grandchildren playing outside. She was sixty-one. Less than one week earlier, Ellen had moved to Fieldbrook, CA with her husband Jim to be closer to her eldest son Joel, his wife Phoebe and their three children. Born in Dallas, Texas on December 7, 1947, Ellen lived almost her entire life in California. After graduating West Covina High School in 1965 as Valedictorian at the age of 16, she attended the University of California at Santa Cruz, CA, which is where she first met Jim Morrison, who would later become her husband of twenty-eight years. After a few years at UCSC, Ellen moved to Vancouver, BC and was instrumental in assisting young men fleeing the US to evade the draft. Ellen also spent time living in West Sussex, England where she had her first son, Joel.
Returning to California a few years later, Ellen reconnected with Jim and they married in 1981 and had a son Cody, born in 1982. Ellen spent most her of her career working at the University of California Santa Cruz first as a Residential Advisor at the Housing Department of Oakes College and later as the Assistant Department Manager and Graduate Program Coordinator in the Math Department. Working on campus almost continually since the early 1980's, she touched many lives and made many lasting friendships. Her colleague and dear friend, Michelle Dohl, stated that the University has experienced a profound loss with Ellen's passing.
Ellen leaves behind her husband Jim, her sons Joel and Cody, her sister Tracy, her mother Jacqueline, and many adored family members and friends.
Ellen's legacy is one of love, vibrancy and humor. Her absence will be felt in all spheres of the life she left behind. She is, quite simply, irreplaceable. She will be dearly missed.
A memorial service will take place on September 25th, 5:30pm at Long Marine Lab's Seymour Center, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA.