December 1, 1950 – August 11, 2017
Ellen was delivered at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, a fourth generation Washingtonian, and the youngest of four children born to Lamar Noyes and Jeanne Beatty Ostrander.
She grew up in Kirkland, Washington where she attended Central Elementary School, Kirkland Junior High, and Lake Washington High School, class of 1969. Ellen continued her education at Central Washington University, Shoreline Community College, and received her BA degree in History from the University of Washington.
Ellen met Stephen Lutz in May of 1977 and they were married in April 1978. The couple lived in Seattle, Roswell, GA, and finally settled on the Eastside in 1982. They enjoyed happy homes in Redmond and Bellevue, and in 1992 were able to buy the Ostrander family home in Kirkland. Twenty-five years later they still knew they had been lucky enough to live in one of the best places on earth!
Though Ellen and Steve never had children they were busy with active involvements in the American Association of University Women, the Kirkland Kiwanis Club, Inglewood Golf Club, and their loving networks of family and friends. Ellen and Steve were avid travelers and enjoyed countless trips around the globe in their quest to become good citizens of the world. Her favorite times of all were our annual Family Beach Weekends when her whole family would convene at Pacific Beach, WA for four days of beach walks, hot dogs, s’mores, games, hugs and happy memories!
Ellen loved live theater and the performing arts. For years she supported Seattle REP, ACT Theater, Village Theater, and particularly Book-It Repertory Theater and the Kirkland Performance Center.
Ellen succumbed to cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, after a challenging seven month struggle. We thank the Oncology Team at Virginia Mason Hospital and the Evergreen Home Hospice Staff for their professional and compassionate care. We particularly thank Ellen’s companion and caregiver Rachel Collins who has eased and enriched our lives in so many ways.
Ellen is survived by her husband of thirty-nine years, Stephen, and her brothers George (Leah) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Rick (Peggy) of Kirkland, WA, and sister Linda Cossalman (Steve) of Eatonville, WA. She was beloved by her eleven nieces and nephews and their families.
Ellen loved her family and was a true and loyal friend. She was an outstanding business woman, honest, organized, disciplined and diligent, and she possessed uncanny good judgement and common sense. She was loved and will be sorely missed by those who knew her well, and she was taken from us far too soon.
Friends are invited to share memories and sign the family’s on-line guest book at www.flintofts.com.
Arrangements are by Flintofts Funeral Home and Crematory.
