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Ellen Weiner Bevan - Class of 1961

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 03/Oct/2024
71.223.133.220

    Ellen Weiner Bevan died on September 28, 2024. She was 80 years old.
Ellen was born on July 10, 1944, in Newburgh, New York. Ellen was the valedictorian of her class at Newburgh Free Academy, received her undergraduate degree in English from Tufts University, obtained a graduate degree from Northwestern University, and earned both a second graduate degree and Ph. D from the University of Rochester. Ellen lived most of her life in Rochester, NY, where she was a professor of English, and later, a director of development at several institutions.
She is survived by her children, Laurie Sternberg (Joshua Sherwin), and Peter Sternberg, and her oft-lauded granddaughter, Claire Sherwin. She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Ernest R. Bevan, Jr. She also leaves cherished family members Harold Kudan, Deborah Weiner Soule (Benjamin), and Carole Murdock (John).
Ellen was a professor of English at several colleges and universities, including St. John Fisher, the Rochester Institute of Technology, and the University of Rochester. Later, Ellen turned her unique combination of writing expertise, creativity, and charm to serve her community, using her talents to guide several institutions - including Wilson Commencement Park, SUNY Geneseo, and the Fairport Baptist Home Foundation - to advance and grow their endowments. The entities she directed and advised will long continue to benefit and succeed from her lasting legacy.
Ellen was a vocal, active, and enthusiastic member of many organizations, including the Rochester Women's Network, Rochester Arts and Lectures, the American Association of University Women, the Rochester Philharmonic, several bridge groups, and countless book clubs. Ellen was a prodigious book collector and voracious reader, who had an opinion on most books, ready suggestions of what to read next, and a vast collection of well-loved literature that filled her home. Ellen rarely missed any of the films offered at the Jewish Film Festival or the Little Theater, and she made trips to Stratford for Shakespeare and New York City for Broadway regularly. Ellen was also a consummate and frequent host; she hosted dinner parties and holidays that not only lasted through the night and created community, but also fed innumerable friends with copious amounts of food.
A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. On October 8, the family will be sitting shiva at Laurie Sternberg's home in Chevy Chase, Maryland from 6 to 9 p.m. All are invited to join as we remember and celebrate Ellen's life. Donations to honor Ellen's memory may be made to the Ames Amzalak Rochester Jewish Film Festival, at the link below.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Rochester Regional Health and the Jewish Home of Rochester for their attentive care. Donation to the Jewish Film Festival in Memory of Ellen Bevan