Ellen Israel, a devoted mother and grandmother, passed away at the age of 71 on Saturday,
January 4th, 2025 at her home in Oxnard, California.
Born on May 8, 1953 in Los Angeles, California, to Ralph and Helga Mindess, Ellen graduated
from the University of California, Santa Barbara and earned her master’s degree at California
State University, Long Beach, studying speech pathology. Her skill, patience, and compassion
as a speech therapist provided a lasting impact, helping children and adults alike find their
voices.
Above all, Ellen’s greatest love was her family. She was the proud mother of three children,
Stephen, Alex, and Brian, and found a new depth of joy as a grandmother to Levi and August,
watching them grow and thrive with the same love and encouragement she had always given
her own children.
Ellen was a lover of art, particularly enjoying the bold simplicity of primary colors, which she
cherished in both her personal artwork and the art she admired. Her eye for beauty extended
into every aspect of her life; it would be easy to mistake her living space for a modern art
museum, and her impeccably curated fashion choices fit right in.
Ellen is survived by her three children, two grandchildren, and a host of family and friends. Her
creativity, warmth, and unshakeable love for her family and friends will never be forgotten.
A memorial will be held to celebrate her life at 1pm on Sunday, January 12th at Temple Beth
Torah in Ventura, CA, followed by a gathering of family and friends to honor her memory.