The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsDU member elleng has passed. Edited
Last edited Sun Dec 14, 2025, 08:53 AM - Edit history (2)
Update: I have replaced the link--which was in my original post very early this morning--with a screen shot because some people indicated the link didn't work for them.
She has been a member here since 2004. No details. Her daughter has posted it on her Facebook account.

And her other daughter has just now posted this photo of her when she was younger

May her memory be a blessing.
LearnedHand
(5,679 posts)Its almost not possible. She was just posting yesterday or the day before!
dalton99a
(96,189 posts)unblock
(56,311 posts)Fla Dem
(27,858 posts)My sympathies go out to her family, she was truly a good person, may she rest in peace.
Tactical Peek
(1,439 posts)
mahatmakanejeeves
(71,535 posts)sprinkleeninow
(22,510 posts)SamKnause
(14,969 posts)montanacowboy
(6,741 posts)I loved her photos of the birds. My God, what happened?
jfz9580m
(17,910 posts)I knew I have seen her posts a bunch. I interacted with her only once..something to do with the plural of mongoose
She posted about atheists once in the Jewish Forum.
She used to post pics of geese and other birds..she must not have been well. Very sad. I dont have FB so I couldnt see it.
She seemed like a sweet person.
ZZenith
(4,483 posts)She was always helpful and friendly.
Godspeed, elleng.
Exp
(1,066 posts)blm
(114,834 posts)For us long timers, she was a daily voice
..a dependable pal.
💐🕯️💐
jfz9580m
(17,910 posts)She posted just last week..
Thats sad. I have seen her posts for years (in cooking and baking mostly)
hamsterjill
(17,941 posts)I always loved interacting with her. This is DU sadness.
brer cat
(27,762 posts)Condolences to her family.
tishaLA
(14,830 posts)we'll miss her and her many contributions.
NJCher
(43,797 posts)I noticed I had not seen posts from her in the last few days, but she had talked about being with family, so I thought she was busy with holiday gatherings.
I was going to post to ask about her.
I'm so sad to hear this. This place will not be the same without elleng.
PJMcK
(25,218 posts)When we sailed the Chesapeake a few years ago, we met up with Ellen on Solomons Island, MD which was near her home. We shared a delicious seafood dinner and wonderful conversation. I genuinely liked her immediately.
Her interests and knowledge were broad but her love for her family overshadowed everything. We frequently communicated on DU email and her calm intelligence was a hallmark of her personality. Of course, her love of food was evident from her posts on your daily dinner posts!
VTderry
(153 posts)before real life took me away from online life.)
I was in DC for a conference and we met for lunch near my hotel. She was the first "internet friend" I ever met in real life. She set a high bar.
I've been meaning to reach out to her to say "It's me" and how I still think of that lovely afternoon. And now I will carry regret that i waited too long.
Peaceful passage, Ellen. Your memory will certainly always be a blessing to me.
dalton99a
(96,189 posts)My deepest condolences to her family and friends.
Dear_Prudence
(1,208 posts)Hosts our photography forum
She will be so missed here.
Fla Dem
(27,858 posts)My sympathies go out to her family, she was truly a good person, may she rest in peace.
highplainsdem
(63,691 posts)I can't see what her daughter posted on FB. Sometimes I can see a posr there if a link is provided, but with this I just get a log-in page.
My condolences to all her friends and family. This was so sudden.
DFW
(60,762 posts)She was smart, informed, always civil.
We are poorer for her passing.
yellow dahlia
(6,861 posts)I am relatively new to DU, but her persona and presence were clear.
IbogaProject
(6,177 posts)I estimate she averaged just shy of 16 posts per day since March, 2004. 141,926 posts.
Permanut
(8,720 posts)Her memory will be a blessing, and I will miss her.
yorkster
(4,003 posts)She loved Smetana's Moldau.
What a voice to lose...
catchnrelease
(2,178 posts)She always had something interesting and/or informative to say. And I always checked out her posts. I will miss her so much! I hope there will be more info on what happened, it seems so sudden.
chowder66
(12,687 posts)HeartsCanHope
(1,793 posts)Elleng was a beloved member of the forum. She gave so much of herself to others. We were fortunate to have her as a DUer.
She will be missed.
YoshidaYui
(46,122 posts)she reached out to me several times in the past, she was very nice.
irisblue
(38,130 posts)Easterncedar
(6,648 posts)She was a lovely presence here. I will miss her
LoisB
(13,742 posts)SheltieLover
(82,594 posts)Deepest condolences to her family.
I will forever treaaure her posts of nature, especially the Spring she had the Osprey nest outside her window.
Soar with your beloved Osprey, Ellen!
PJMcK
(25,218 posts)elleng and I had become friends IRL. I miss her already.
She was funny, kind, thoughtful and she loved her family. A retired lawyer, she was smart and wise. elleng was a dedicated DUer who was fiercely progressive and a determined Democrat.
She loved food and her contributions to the Cooking and Baking forum were delicious.
RIP, dear friend.
2naSalit
(104,739 posts)But have had some interesting conversations on DU. She was one of the first DUers I had conversations with here. I've always appreciated her knowledge of the law. I will miss her too.
LostOne4Ever
(9,768 posts)LuckyCharms
(23,378 posts)BlueWaveNeverEnd
(15,460 posts)Laffy Kat
(17,003 posts)c-rational
(3,235 posts)Donkees
(33,750 posts)
Photo - Douglas Liu
When despair for the world grows in me...
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. - Wendell Berry

ms liberty
(11,451 posts)Marthe48
(23,734 posts)I enjoyed seeing her posts and I will miss her.
R.I.P. elleng.
hlthe2b
(115,157 posts)I will be sending my love to her in whatever realm exists and my appreciation for her to her grieving family.
samplegirl
(14,166 posts)Read her posts all the time.
we can do it
(13,038 posts)BeyondGeography
(41,233 posts)I will miss her.
RIP dear Ellen and my condolences to her loved ones.
2naSalit
(104,739 posts)I like her! Haven't interacted much recently but...
Thank you for letting us know!
we can do it
(13,038 posts)UpInArms
(55,622 posts)Valiant and steadfast, you have been a unflinching warrior
You will be missed
blogslug
(39,253 posts)You were loved.
BootinUp
(51,769 posts)With her.
bucolic_frolic
(56,300 posts)Her daily doses of culture will be sorely missed.
Thanks for giving us courage these many months of 2025 and many years before.
ProfessorGAC
(77,662 posts)A pretty prolific poster. She'll be missed.
Emile
(44,062 posts)DeeDeeNY
(3,977 posts)Thank you for letting us know.
liberalla
(11,295 posts)She certainly will be missed here... she added so much!
My condolences to her family and friends.
lostincalifornia
(5,655 posts)cachukis
(4,176 posts)littlemissmartypants
(35,412 posts)Scrivener7
(60,325 posts)Mad_Dem_X
(10,253 posts)May she rest in peace.
PikaBlue
(495 posts)I so enjoyed her nature photos, especially those taken of the water in southern Maryland. They brought back happy memories of more than 50 years ago for me. Sending love to her family and friends. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
livetohike
(24,497 posts)and friends. I will miss her posts in the Outdoor Life group. Such a heavy sadness to hear this news
.
choie
(7,095 posts)She will be so missed here.
sinkingfeeling
(58,225 posts)missed and lovingly remembered here on DU.
debm55
(62,519 posts)Last edited Sun Dec 14, 2025, 10:25 AM - Edit history (1)
Niagara
(12,397 posts)We seem to keep losing all the friendly and beautiful souls here on DU.
Rest in Paradise, elleng.
Docreed2003
(18,714 posts)My deepest condolences to Ellen's family. She was such an incredibly warm and supportive person. She was one of my first friends here when I first joined this forum. In fact, we chatted frequently during some pretty tumultuous times on DU to commiserate and share our feelings. We shared a birthday and I always enjoyed slyly wishing her a Happy Birthday in posts without drawing attention. I will miss her presence here dearly.
Diamond_Dog
(41,497 posts)I always enjoyed her posts, recipes, and photographs of the river where she lived. Rest in Peace, Ellen. We will all miss you here with heavy hearts here at DU.
IronLionZion
(51,700 posts)she's often in the DC group.
Rest in Power
onethatcares
(17,020 posts)say how much she will be missed..
Nittersing
(8,580 posts)My condolences to all she touched.
mwmisses4289
(5,127 posts)🫂 to your family.
BumRushDaShow
(173,430 posts)I have been interacting with her on and off over the years, especially if I had any news items about Maryland.
What a loss but I send my condolences to her family and hope she is at peace now.
marble falls
(73,425 posts)Last edited Sun Dec 14, 2025, 01:10 PM - Edit history (1)
DinahMoeHum
(23,749 posts)CaptainTruth
(8,298 posts)JoeOtterbein
(7,880 posts)(tears)
underpants
(197,777 posts)Her friend was in town to go to a public hearing of some sort. We met and had lunch. What a truly kind wonderful person.
This makes me very sad.
❤️🕯️
Nanuke
(938 posts)CousinIT
(12,888 posts)...
Wishing EllenG's family strength and peace at this painful time. I know Ellen's memory will be a blessing to them as time goes on.
GPV
(73,408 posts)ms liberty
(11,451 posts)This shakes me a bit, she has been here almost as long as I have. I just commented on one of here posts, like two days ago.
Solly Mack
(97,422 posts)She was steadfast. I never told her, but I loved that about her.
Goodbye, Ellen.
May you soar always.
cate94
(3,135 posts)riversedge
(82,173 posts)Ocelot II
(131,779 posts)She was a DU mainstay, and such a sweet person! My deepest condolences to her family.
CBHagman
(17,570 posts)I so appreciated her, and I know her memory will be for a blessing.
Deepest sympathy to all in her circle of family and friends.
CaliforniaPeggy
(157,233 posts)May her memory be a blessing.
Sanity Claws
(22,460 posts)radical noodle
(10,740 posts)DU won't be the same without her.
Collimator
(2,158 posts)My heart goes out to her family and those DUers who felt a strong connection with her.
I had noticed that her location is in Maryland where I am and I had recently toyed with the idea of reaching out to her personally. Now, that chance is gone.
The tributes posted here are lovely. I hope they provide comfort to those dealing with the sharp pangs of loss.
There is no doubt that, with the easing of pain, her memory will carry on as a song of joy; a blessing indeed.
Thank you, Elleng, for the good that you brought into the world.
marmar
(80,352 posts)whathehell
(30,579 posts)I read her posts every day.
Ninga
(9,042 posts)miss her posts.
lapfog_1
(32,063 posts)I loved her posts. I just responded to one a few days ago.
quaint
(5,112 posts)applegrove
(133,705 posts)Beacool
(30,536 posts)She was posting this week. I'm so sorry to lose a longtime and valuable DU member.
My condolences to her family and loved ones.
Rest in peace, Ellen. You will be missed.
defacto7
(14,162 posts)Polly Hennessey
(9,049 posts)Elleng, I loved your posts. Always read them. I am still shocked. Dear Elleng, I will miss you so much.
democrank
(12,730 posts)Rest in peace, Ellen.
NNadir
(38,843 posts)Clouds Passing
(8,241 posts)WheelWalker
(9,420 posts)Miles Archer
(24,838 posts)Condolences to Julie for the loss of her mom.
leftstreet
(41,364 posts)AllaN01Bear
(30,087 posts)bronxiteforever
(11,212 posts)the impersonal medium of the net to touch one personally. Ellen was an exceptional human and humane person. I will miss her dearly and may her memory be a blessing and light to all who knew her.
Sneederbunk
(17,764 posts)Emile
(44,062 posts)in the cooking forum.
Breaks my heart, she was a lovely person.
hermetic
(9,321 posts)She was a great lady. RIP
cbabe
(6,986 posts)Maraya1969
(23,624 posts)surfered
(15,014 posts)RIP!
MacKasey
(1,544 posts)Onthefly
(1,428 posts)As a fellow Marylander, we shared a love of the Patuxent River and bay. She was a regular at my cousins restaurant.
justaprogressive
(7,312 posts)a shining light is gone.
xocetaceans
(4,444 posts)She had a great presence here and contributed a fantastic amount to this forum.
RIP.
Alliepoo
(2,853 posts)I enjoyed reading her and loved the photos she posted. She will be missed. My condolences to her family and friends. Wishing them peace and comfort.
debm55
(62,519 posts)Leghorn21
(14,126 posts)I am also glad that she was active and doing things she loved right up to her last moments
Deepest condolences to her family. And her DU family as well.
She will be sorely missed
OLDMDDEM
(3,332 posts)kimbutgar
(27,705 posts)I remember reading her posts. She will be missed here on DU. RIP Elleng .
PatSeg
(53,998 posts)I must say I was rather shocked. Ellen has been a Facebook friend for quite some time and was also part of the original Joe Biden group here on DU.
She will truly be missed.
Grumpy Old Guy
(4,425 posts)I am so sorry to hear this. She will be missed in the Photography forum!
pandr32
(14,307 posts)May we all take comfort in her memories and the light that she gave.
sheshe2
(99,016 posts)Peace to elleng and her family. 💕
nocoincidences
(2,492 posts)I will miss her posts and photos.
QueerDuck
(2,105 posts)Rest in Peace.
DelMar dem
(79 posts)Deepest condolences to her family.
Catherine Vincent
(34,612 posts)Bayard
(30,636 posts)I always read her posts, and enjoyed the photos of the wonderful area where she lived.
Sad here. I will miss her. This seems very sudden.
angrychair
(12,546 posts)Absolutely one one my favorite people on DU.
bluestarone
(22,538 posts)MLAA
(19,856 posts)May her spirit remain with us. 🩷🩷🩷
harumph
(3,523 posts)I've been reading and responding to her posts for several years.
Mike Nelson
(10,943 posts)question everything
(52,612 posts)Some years back we were following her brain treatment.
May her memory be blessed.
Greybnk48
(10,763 posts)TygrBright
(21,412 posts)lpbk2713
(43,317 posts)I regret I haven't kept up with Elleng. I don't read or post as much as I used to.
She was a valuable asset to the DU community. Her loss will be felt.
FemDemERA
(944 posts)Her presence will truly be missed on DU. May the memories of Ellen wrap all in love and be of comfort in coming days.
Hekate
(100,135 posts)EarlG
(23,766 posts)She will be missed. My condolences to her family.
yonder
(10,325 posts)Her calm presence will be missed.
Condolences to her family and friends.
orangecrush
(31,813 posts)She was always so nice to me.
Deepest sympathy
Blue Owl
(60,033 posts)And I will be forever grateful for all the classical music postings she contributed on DU, and will miss them
..
cilla4progress
(26,526 posts)I enjoyed her posts!
RIP elleng.
malaise
(299,511 posts)Deepest sympathy to family and friends.
I cant believe this
Vogon_Glory
(10,422 posts)My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.
wendyb-NC
(4,754 posts)She posted jut a couple of days ago. She will be missed so much. I loved her posts.
Oh dear Ellen, R.I.P.
KT2000
(22,275 posts)here as she had such good posts. Thanks to Elleng for spreading her kindness.
LNM
(1,273 posts)She was a sweet person. Ill miss her Metropolitan Diary posts.
RIP elleng. 🕯️
Cha
(321,511 posts)Rest in Peace and Loving Memory, elleng💙
slightlv
(8,182 posts)I'm sorry for her family... and us. I messaged often with elleng... I'll miss her voice and her presence here. May she rest in power and see us through these dark days. My sympathies and wishes for healing peace to her family.
JudyM
(29,785 posts)Especially about classical music... reminded me to keep expanding my appreciation of it. I loved her presence here on DU for so many years.
cally
(21,877 posts)Im sad
Ford_Prefect
(8,693 posts)Marie Marie
(11,635 posts)Phentex
(16,767 posts)I don't even know how this is possible. I feel like I knew her even though we never met. She was here. She was always here.
My husband just asked me why I'm sobbing. He doesn't understand. I am crushed and I can't imagine how her family feels.
I always thought I might get to visit her on her little island. I will miss her!
Aristus
(72,716 posts)We bonded over classical music. Our DU friendship dates back to around 2008 or so. She was a pillar of the DU family/community.
bdamomma
(69,667 posts)I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom's passing. I always looked forward to reading her posts.
My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Again, elleng will be missed by her DU family.
LetMyPeopleVote
(183,817 posts)MustLoveBeagles
(18,277 posts)greatauntoftriplets
(179,561 posts)mountain grammy
(29,379 posts)Oh no! My deepest sympathies to her family. I will surely miss her here.
Terrible news. So sad.
May she rest in peace.
Iggo
(50,124 posts)herding cats
(20,056 posts)May her memory be a blessing. I know it will be such to me.
I've said for decades DU is a community and not just a message board. Ellen was one of our community, and a personal friend to me. We're a bit less bright now without her light. Go gently sweet, kind and dear old friend.
Silver Gaia
(5,452 posts)Sending as much love as I can muster to her family and to DU at large. I did not know her personally, but she was a big part of DU and will be missed. Peace, love, and blessings to those who need them.
3catwoman3
(30,145 posts)H2O Man
(79,462 posts)BlueKota
(5,597 posts)TBF
(37,605 posts)IA8IT
(6,472 posts)Figarosmom
(14,617 posts)She was a beautiful and thoughtful woman.
mahina
(20,830 posts)BigmanPigman
(55,742 posts)First I just learned about Rob Reiner and now this news. I've been crying for 10 minutes straight.
What a terrible day.
Elleng will be missed.
Why doesn't the fucking orange moron die? Everyone good dies but he lives. Life is not fair.
róisín_dubh
(12,397 posts)I dont come in the Lounge much but I interacted with here a lot elsewhere on DU. She seemed like such a kind soul.
May her memory be a blessing
mysteryowl
(9,356 posts)I could tell she was a loving person.
I am glad to have met her on DU.
qanda
(10,436 posts)RIP Sweet Ellen. 😢
scipan
(3,149 posts)Although I seldom post, I had at least two interactions with her. She seemed like someone I'd like to know, and I felt a bond with her because she lived close to me and watched PBS often. I also valued her legal takes and her humor.
She seemed so warm and accepting to strangers here. She touched more lives than she could ever know. I'll miss her
So sorry she's gone. Peace to those close to her.
1WorldHope
(2,231 posts)I wish I had known her better.
My heart felt wishes for her daughter and family.
orleans
(37,440 posts)this is such sad news
she was loved
& she will be remembered and missed
Sparkly
(24,948 posts)She was a steadfast supporter of all that is right, good, and just. And she was a friend! For so many years.
PCIntern
(28,793 posts)She was so supportive and kind, a terrific human being. May her memory always be for a blessing.
Raine
(31,264 posts)I just found out, she was here just a couple days ago. I can hardly believe it, she will be missed so much by me and many others.
R-I-P Ellen 🌹
Wolf Frankula
(3,856 posts)Sorry she's gone.
Mz Pip
(28,541 posts)She will be missed here.
JoseBalow
(9,896 posts)She will be missed.
senseandsensibility
(25,991 posts)She was always supportive and kind spirited, and really helped lift the atmosphere of this place. RIP, elleng. My sympathies to her family, and may her memory be a blessing.
electric_blue68
(27,886 posts)OAITW r.2.0
(32,952 posts)We had some good interactions over the years. I never met her IRL, but I know this was a person who loved her family, her music, and her little piece of of the Bay.
Thanks and God Bless, elleng.