Barbara Fay Ellis, 88, of Woodland Hills, CA, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2023.

Barbara was born on July 7, 1934 in Orange, New Jersey to Clifford and Virginia (Taylor) Fay. Barbara spent her childhood in Chatham, New Jersey where she graduated from Chatham High School in 1952. She attended Miami University (Ohio) and graduated in 1956 with a degree in Elementary Education.

After graduation, Barbara taught elementary school in Cleveland, OH. When she married, she moved to Flushing, NY. As her family grew, they lived in Denver, CO, St. Louis, MO and in 1973, they settled in Woodland Hills, CA.

Barbara enjoyed tennis, mahjong, Red Hats Society, travel, conversation, wine and a good party! She took a variety of classes at Pierce College, engaged in discussion groups and combined her learning with traveling the world.

One of Barbara’s special loves was her time on Washington Island, WI. Her grandparents built the summer home where she spent nearly every childhood summer vacation, except during WWII. When she retired, with a few exceptions, she spent June - September at her island home. She loved sitting in the rocking chairs on the front porch “supervising” the ferry boats with her coffee and binoculars. The front porch was also her favorite place to relax with friends and family. Barbara actively attended the annual Island musicals, festivals, parades, and was especially fond of her aquacise class at the Rec Center.

Barbara is survived by her daughters Lynn (Jeff) Barnhart, Karen (Marc) Amling, Nancy (Todd) Huspeni; grandchildren, Morgan Barnhart, Matthew (Caitlin Center) Barnhart, Kirsten (Colin) Baker, Malia (John) Howland, Jalene (Kyle) Fletcher, Lauren Huspeni, Thomas Huspeni, Christopher Huspeni; great grandchildren, Henry and Owen Baker, Hayley and Brooke Howland; and her brother Edward Fay.

Barbara will be greatly missed by her family and friends. The family would like to thank Samarkand Skilled Nursing, Cottage Hospital, Dr.Todd Fearer and Dr. Alexander Hardwick for the loving care she received these last months.

A Celebration of Life for her California friends and family will be held at 2 P.M. Sunday, January 8, 2023 at BJs (private room) 6424 Canoga Ave, Woodland Hills, CA. There will be a Celebration of Life for her in Wisconsin this summer on Washington Island on Saturday, August 5th at Trinity Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Gifts of salads and desserts - she loved Door County cherries - are appreciated by the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Mosling-Rec Center on Washington Island in Barbara’s name. She loved attending water aerobics and other activities hosted by the Rec Center.

Online Donation link: Mosling Rec Center on Washington Island - online donation link

Donate by mail: Barbara Ellis Memorial, Mosling Rec Center, PO Box 68, Washington Island, WI 54246