Ellen Elizabeth Clark-Williams
Ellen Elizabeth Clark-Williams peacefully passed away on the early morning of August 1, 2024. She left us at the age of 81. Ellen was an extraordinary woman with a hunger for knowledge, travel, and camaraderie. After receiving a bachelor of arts degree from the University of the Pacific, with a major in fine arts, Ellen spent 15 years working as a graphic artist. She ran her own design studio in Los Angeles for eight years, And later received a masters degree in art therapy from Loyola Marymount University. In 1989 she was awarded a PhD. As a photo journalist, Ellen successfully traveled around the world. She was an accomplished travel writer and photographer. As a long-time member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), she won numerous awards for her photography, including being honored twice as SATW Travel Photographer of the Year. She never stopped moving and that was her will, her motto, and her testament to life.……
She was passionate about many things. She had a wonderful marriage to Geoffrey Williams who passed away in 2006. Ellen is survived by her step-son Douglas Williams, his wife Amy and grand children Amanda, and Spencer. She also leaves behind her brother Tad Clark, sister-in-law Kira, and niece Victoria (Tory), her sister-in-law Barbara Eales, brother-in-law Brian Williams. She was loved dearly and will be missed. The outpouring of support from different people and places is heartwarming. Ellen touched so many lives and has many fans that mourn her loss. Anyone that knew Ellen enjoyed her shared stories from childhood days in Pasadena, and Montecito, California. Growing up in a prominent family of artists, painters, and architects, Ellen definitely got the creative gene. She was always helping others, and got behind causes dear to her from the endangered tree frogs at the Miramar hotel, to supporting the Santa Barbara Zoo. Ellen’s travels all around the world showed us a unique view from behind her lens as she enlightened us with her inner vision. She loved tennis, and more recently took on paddle tennis (not pickle ball), as she adamantly would have told you, “Pickle ball sucks!”
Ellen was always up for a fun-filled outing with good food, family, and friends, and all events were commemorated with a toast of white wine. Do not forget the big cup of ice on the side! Her “bar flies” were also such an integral part of Ellen’s social scene and we all feel honored to have been “family” to Ellen. She lived each day to the fullest and all were lucky to share in Ellen’s colorful world. Her travels, her photos, and her dreams will live on in all of us. True to form Ellen humorously engraved on her tomb stone, right next to her sister Deborah, “Still traveling!” Ellen Clark-Williams has traveled home to be reunited with her loved ones who have passed before her. Ellen’s memory is our keepsake from which we’ll never part we treasure and hold her deeply within each and every heart. Cheers to Ellen…travel in peace.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, September 20th, 10 o’clock in the morning at Santa Barbara Cemetery Association. 901 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93108