Barbara Ellison Obituary

Barbara Ellison

Charleston - Mrs. Barbara Gail Jaffe Ellison was born on January 26, 1931, in Sidney, Ohio, the daughter of the late William Jaffe and Tillie Brotkin Jaffe. She was predeceased by her older brothers, Lloyd Jaffe and Herbert Jaffe, her older sister, Charlotte Jaffe Schwartz, and her younger brother, Eric Jaffe.

Barbara grew up in Sidney, Ohio, and later moved to Cincinnati. She attended Walnut Hills High School, graduating in 1948, and earned her degree from Vassar College in 1952. An English major who also studied Russian, she moved to Washington, D.C., after graduation to work for the CIA, where she could serve her country and apply her language skills. She later relocated to New York City and worked for Parents Magazine, where she sold her first published article.

In 1956, Barbara married Dr. Haskell Ellison after meeting on a blind date in Charleston, South Carolina. She was warmly welcomed into Haskell's extended family and gradually learned to tolerate the heat and humidity of the Lowcountry. Together, they raised five children in a lively household, as Barbara balanced her responsibilities as a mother with a deep commitment to writing and civic engagement. With their strong commitment to Judaism and education, Barbara and Haskell worked to provide their children with strong Jewish values and a Jewish education. In addition, Barbara and Haskell worked to support all of their children to achieve both undergraduate and master's degrees.

Barbara authored more than 30 humorous and insightful articles for The Charleston News and Courier, with clever titles such as "Mom One Jump Ahead of Aerobics Fanatics"-which likened motherhood to "Rhythm and Bruise"-and "Supporting College Kids, or The Maltuition Blues." Her civic involvement was equally impressive: she served as President of the Ladies Auxiliary of Roper Hospital and as President of the South Carolina League of Women Voters for ten years. Later, she served on Charleston's Planning and Zoning Board for over 30 years and chaired the Charleston Board of Ethics-a fitting role for someone so deeply grounded in her faith and sense of justice.

At the urging of Haskell, Barbara compiled and published a selection of her writings in a book titled If I Could Only Get Organized, which was submitted to the Library of Congress.

Barbara is survived by her five children: Morris Ellison (Deborah) of Charleston, SC; David Ellison (Julie) of Charleston, SC; Frances Ellison of Atlanta, GA; Alec Ellison (Pam) of Greenwich, CT; and Wendy Ellison Armon (Bruce) of Abington, PA. She also leaves behind 14 beloved grandchildren-Matthew (Natalie), Sarah, Hannah, Benjamin (Eden), Danielle (Arieh), Becca, Jonathan (Dana), Will, Judah (Hadassah), Ross, Spencer, Tess, Eva, and Lila-as well as four great-grandchildren: Theo, Lynn, Iris, and Avigdor.

Donations in her memory may be made to Brith Sholom Beth Israel Synagogue, Addlestone Hebrew Academy, or Roper St Francis Foundation.

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