Ellen Louise Aylward, 59, of Memphis, died Monday morning, February 15, 2021 at Van Buren County Hospital in Keosauqua, IA.
She was born September 18, 1961 at Kirksville, MO, the daughter of Marion S. and Joanne (McLeland) Aylward.
She grew up on the family farm north of Arbela and attended Scotland County R-1 Schools, graduating with the Class of 1979. She continued her education at Northeast Missouri State University (Truman State), graduating cum laude in 1983.
Ellen was employed for 30 years by the State of Missouri as Secretary to the First Circuit Judge. She retired on April 1, 2020 after serving as Secretary for Judge E. Richard Webber and later for Judge Gary Dial. She also served two terms as Scotland County Public Administrator. For several years she was a partner in a catering business with her close friend, Donna Oilar.
Ellen had a special place in her heart for children, and she enjoyed being a surrogate aunt to numerous children over the years. She served several terms on the Scotland County R-1 School Board. She was an active member of SCAMP (Scotland County Association of Music Parents), helped organize the Scotland County School Foundation and served on the board. Ellen was a former active member of the Scotland County Rotary Club. She was a member of the Scotland County Fair Board for a number of years.
Some of Ellen’s favorite things were cooking, sewing, and trivia games. She was an excellent cook who enjoyed trying new recipes and feeding people. She used her sewing skills as the unofficial seamstress for the Scotland County R-1 music and band program In high school she was a member of the SCR-1 College Bowl team. As an adult, she was a member of Team NEMO, a very competitive group that entered and won many trivia tournaments in the tri-state area. Ellen had many varied interests and was always ready to take on a new project of some kind.
Ellen’s faith was an important part of her life and helped sustain her during the long months of her last illness. In her earlier years she attended the Mt. Moriah United Methodist Church in her rural community. As a young adult, she was baptized at the Memphis First Christian Church by the Rev. Jim Estep. For the last several years Ellen was an active member of the Memphis First Baptist Church, where she was Hospitality Chairman and former church treasurer.
She was preceded in death by her father in October, 1979; paternal grandparents, John and Clarice Aylward and Lena and Melvin Strandburg; maternal grandparents, Craig and Marguerite McLeland; and an uncle, Dale R. McLeland.
She is survived by her mother, Joanne Aylward, of Arbela; her brother, Michael Aylward, of Arbela; close friends, Donna Oilar and family, of Kahoka, MO; many other treasured friends and church family.
23 comments
Ellen was one for the most amazing women I ever met. She was always so good to me. My high school diploma has her initials and a smiley face on the back of it. She was the first person to buy a car from me when I was selling cars. I am so glad I picked on her at the last parade of champions. Heaven gained the most amazing angel they will ever have. You all have my deepest sympathy.
So sorry to hear. Ellen was a wonderful lady and will be greatly missed.
We were so sorry to learn of Ellen’s passing. Our deepest sympathy to Joanne & Mike and all of her friends and relatives.
Our hearts go out to Ellen’s family and friends. She was a gem and always so supportive of the arts and education. She will be deeply missed by all persons she touched!
Prayers for her family! She always helped in anyway in our small community! She knew everyone and was social. Her catering was so good and remembered by so many people!
So very sorry for your loss Joanne and Mike. When I think back on my childhood your family are always in those memories. I will always cherish the times spent playing at your house while our parents played cards. Ellen always took me under her wings and would play with me being a couple years older than me. She as a wonderful neighbor and friend. Praying for peace and strength in the days to come. Joanne no Momma should have to bury a child, even if they are grown.
It is hard when we lose our loved ones regardless of the situation. But we have Faith in the knowledge that they are Home now with their Lord. From what little I heard from a distance I could see the impact Ellen had on the Scotland County community. Rest assured she is rooting for everyone here from her eternal home with Jesus. By God’s grace we will soon see her again. My condolences to the Family and close friends. You have truly sent a Saint Home to be with Her Lord!
Ellen was a great lady and will be missed by many.
I enjoyed working with her at Impact Kids. She was a gem for sure.
Ellen was a beautiful person she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Oh Ellen-what a treasure and what an impact you have had with so many. The memories are never ending. Love to Joann and Mike.
Sorry for the loss of a great lady. She will be missed. I grew up with her. Love and prayers to you Joanne and Michael.
I was saddened to hear about Ellen she will be missed by many.
We all learned how to cook some of her meals that she made for the kids on Wednesday nights at the Baptist Church…
Prayers to Joanne & Mike
Pam,Scott,Bitty & families
I was so sorry to learn of Ellen’s passing. She had a love of community and always ready to help out. Love and prayers to you and Mike. May you find peace and comfort in your memories. God bless and help you through this difficult time.
Prayers for the family. Ellen was a beautiful soul, one of the most wonderful ladies we had the pleasure of knowing. She will be sadly missed by our family. God has a very special lady at his side.
So sorry to hear of Ellen’s passing. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. I remember back in 1982 when her and Mike traveled to PA for Robin & Ronnie Miller’s wedding. She drove an orange Bronco
Ellen you were a blessing to myself and my family the moment we met. You will be missed dearly. Rest well my dear friend. We love you!
We are so sad to hear of Ellen’s passing. She was such a wonderful person who made her part of the world a better place! Our hearts go out to her family & great friend Donna Oiler & all of her friends.
A big loss, and we are praying for you guys.. Ellen made so many memories with us
Ellen was truly a community treasure who will long be missed by all of us. She gave so tirelessly to all of us. Gone far too soon, but she definitely earned her place in heaven with her faith and kindness to all.
Ellen was a very kind and gifted person I got to meet back in December 1999 and she made a awesome wedding cake for my wedding.. my prayers goes out to her family and friends.So sorry for your loss God Bless.
It was a privilege to serve as her pastor in the Mt. Moriah UMC. She was a great cook (made the first Birthday cake for our son Nathan), a vicious trivia player and volleyball player, and she had an infectious laugh. She was a great servant leader, never afraid to use her her many skills when they were needed. She was the first manager of the Marion Co. Mutual branch in Memphis, and did a great job there. My prayers reach out to Joanne and Mike in prayers for your overwhelming grief at this time.
Ellen could always make me laugh, conversations with her were a joy. I will greatly miss that witty woman and her sense of humor. Love and prayers to her beloved family and friends.
Dear Joanne and Mike,
Ellen was such a dear person. It is with Great Sadness that we say goodbye. Yet, it is with great eagerness, that we look forward to seeing her in Heaven, as we rejoice and know she is with the Angels.
I know your heart aches; I pray that God gives you peace beyond our understanding. She and you all are a big part of our life and family.
With Much Love
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