Nancy Jeanne Ellis

April 21, 1931 — February 16, 2024

Denver

Nancy Jeanne Ellis
April 20, 1931~ February 16, 2024

Nancy Jeanne Ellis, born Nancy Jeanne Beyer, came into the world on April 20, 1931, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to parents Eleanor Jeanne Jenkins and Judge Frederick William Beyer.

After her parents' divorce, Nancy and her mother moved to Hollywood, California. They lived for a time with her maternal great-grandmother, Emma Clara Gibson, and her grandmother, Hollywood actress Cecil D. Elliot.

As a youth, Nancy was involved in a number of activities, including school musicals, choirs, and marching bands.

As a young woman, Nancy sang professionally in LA Night Clubs, performing occasionally with musical greats like Jazz singer Louis Armstrong.

Nancy gave birth to her one and only child, Cathy Lei O'Brien, in February 1960.

Nancy loved to bowl and was very good at it. She was a bowling team member at RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, California. There, she met the love of her life, Thomas Otha Ellis.

They married on Valentine's Day when Cathy was about eight years old because, as Cathy remembers, "She wanted him to never forget their anniversary."

Nancy and Tom traveled throughout the US and abroad until Thomas' passing in 2005 at their home in Sun City Community of Palm Desert, California.

Nancy remained in Sun City until relocating to Denver, Colorado, in 2023 to spend her final months near her daughter Cathy.

Nancy is survived by her daughter Cathy Riley, 2 step-children, several grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

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