Deborah (Deb) Ellis
Deborah (Deb) Ellis, 67, of Wildwood, Missouri died on August 4, 2022. Deb was born on November 1, 1954 in South Charleston, West Virginia to Leonard and Virginia Ellis (née Midkiff). She is survived by her daughters Stephanie (Nathaniel) Laroche and Lauren Bean, all of St. Louis, Missouri and by her brother, Jim Ellis of Altamonte Springs, FL. Deb was also the proud grandmother to Katie Laroche. She was preceded in death by parents Leonard and Virginia Ellis and sister Sandra Cook. Deb graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor’s in Social Work and from University of Louisville with a Master’s degree of Social Work.
During her career Deb worked as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for Barnes Hospital, Renex Dialysis, and several hospice agencies. Through her mother’s fight with Alzheimer’s, Deb developed a passion for helping others with memory related diseases which led to her leadership roles with several adult day programs in the St. Louis area. Deb was also appointed to the Missouri Alzheimer’s Task Force by then-governor Jay Nixon, where she advocated for state funding allocation and patient rights.
Deb had many friends, including former co-workers and neighbors. She was a football enthusiast, cheering on the Rams during their tenure in St. Louis and rooting for her daughters’ Missouri Tigers. She was involved in the University of Louisville alumni association. Deb spent much of her time volunteering at animal rescue centers and adopted her beloved dog Charlie through Dirk’s Fund.
She was very loved and is greatly missed by all family and friends.
A memorial service will be held in the future in the English countryside where Deb dreamt of spending a portion of her retirement years. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choice in Deb’s memory.
Deb was a dear friend to many. I cherish the 40+ years that we shared in friendship. Rest In Peace Deb. You will never be forgotten.
I love you Deb. Remembering when we met at Wohl Health Center some 40 plus years ago. We had some fond memories there and all the patients you helped. We kept our friendship alive with others who worked there Maureen you co social worker and Denise a health aide by meeting for lunch and going to family functions. You were fun, loving your family and friends and had s great laugh. I will miss your stories too. Rest In peace friend.
Deb was my first practicum supervisor when I went back to graduate school as a young mom. I had been out of the social work field for 10 years and was so unsure of whether I could get my degree and contribute to my profession. Deb was so kind and encouraging and patient with me at the J. I will always be thankful for her encouragement and her calm demeanor. Prayers and support to her family. Thank you for sharing your sweet mom with us! She lives on in the people she poured into who are passionately doing the work she loved ❤️
Deb was so proud of her family. When we worked together, she talked about her daughters, her son-in-law and her grand-daughter and her face just would light up! Rest in peace Deb and may perpetual light shine upon you. Sending peace and comfort to her family.
Few social workers were as passionate for the advancement of the profession as Deb. I am sorry that she is gone but her passion and skill live on in the social workers she touched. Peace to all who loved her.
Forty plus years ago we started as coworkers, but quickly became friends. That strong friendship endured until the very end. Deb was a loving mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She often spoke affectionately of her girls, granddaughter, son-in-law, and brother. Utilizing her professional knowledge along with the strong love of a daughter, she became a fierce advocate for her mother in Virginia’s final years. Deb had a great sense of humor and a tender heart. She could be as gentle as a lamb or fierce as a mama tiger, if the need arose. An exemplary social worker, she was dedicated to the clients she served and the integrity of the profession, a colleague and mentor to many of us. She has helped make the world a better place for all those she touched. Thanks, Deb, for being in my life. You are already missed.
Thanks for all the comments from Deb’s coworkers, I’m sure all of your names were mentioned by Deb at least a couple times because Deb was very passionate and proud of what she did and I know she loved her bag ladies friends. Thanks for your memories, Deb’s brother. Miss you sister!
I worked for deb at the sheridan she was my favorite patient i loved her so much .. i recently ran into a woman who looks just like her so something told me to research deb and i found that she passed away i will pray over her & for her family i love you deb !!!
Deb, I will always appreciate you hiring me at Mercy Hospice. The job was a good fit for me and you were an amazing manager. You made many contributions to the profession of social work and your absence from this world leaves a gap. I do know you were a faith filled woman which I hope gave you comfort until your last breath.
I recently found out about Debs passing at a social work meeting …which is where I first met Deb back in 2001. She truly was a shining light and always lit up a room. Beautiful woman and wonderful social work advocate. My thoughts are with her family. She will be missed.
Deb started as my mentor, supervising me for clinical social work licensure, but became a friend. She was passionate about the profession and ethical practices and would advocate for what was right no matter the cost. She was instrumental in my career development for many years after supervision was complete. However, what I miss the most is just sitting on her sofa chatting or calling her up while out for a walk. Deb was so much fun, and funny! She was kind and caring, always interested in others. Her daughters were her everything, and she was ever so proud and happy to be a grandmother. No conversation was finished until I was updated on their accomplishments and activities. She loved her brother Jim too and often would talk about him or share about their visits with each other. She was an exceptional dog mom too, and Charlie brought her immense joy and companionship. In person you could see how happy she was with him and phone calls always included his name. As you can tell, Deb’s life was centered around others, whether her patients/clients, students, coworkers, other social workers, pets, or her family. She also had a lot of faith. I hope she received the best of care at the end of her life, just like she ensured for her mother. Deb, you will always be remembered and cherished by me. I am blessed to have had your mentorship and friendship. Since we loved a good glass of wine while visiting, I raise a glass to you and wish you peace my friend.