Obituary

Ellen H. Scott

Mon, 10/01/2018 - 1:30pm

Ellen Hunter Scott of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Boothbay Harbor, Maine died peacefully at home early morning Sept. 23, 2018 from the consequences of brain cancer and multiple sclerosis. Despite living with illness, Ellen enjoyed a full, accomplished life with great intelligence, wit, kindness and a welcoming nature.

Born in Wellesley, Massachusetts on Oct. 22, 1947, she was the first of four children of Walter H. Scott, now of Boothbay Harbor Maine, and the late Virginia Perry Scott.

She is survived by her three siblings, Martha Scott Morache of Encinitas, California, who provided faithful and dedicated care during the last months of Ellen’s life, and also Robert Perry Scott of Lowell, Massachusetts, and David Walter Scott of Carlsbad, California; her dear niece and nephew. Sarah Ellen Morache, and Andrew Walter Scott; and numerous cousins and countless friends. She had been married in Pittsburgh to Richard Narvin and James Muth.

Ellen graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 1970 with a BA in psychology and from the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health in 1985 with an MHA in health administration. She dedicated most of her professional life to various health administration positions with the Department of Neurosurgery at Presbyterian University Hospital. Over the last several years Ellen cared for and made a home with her elderly father, fondly known as Scotty, in both Pittsburgh and Boothbay Harbor.

A lifelong learner and dedicated volunteer, Ellen was never without a book in hand. She was a cherished member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Wilkinsburg where she served on the vestry as treasurer and tutored in the after school Children's Outreach program. She served as a peer counselor for the MS Society support group where her own experience and compassion for others was greatly treasured. She was an insightful, gracious, original member of the long-lasting Bookwomen book group. She attended the Arts and Author Lectures and was conversant in both opera and contemporary culture. Curious and intellectual by nature, she was an avid traveler since her college days, in Europe and throughout the USA. She immersed herself in the stimulating weeks stay at the Chautauqua Institute in New York and was an enthusiastic participant in the Osher Life Long Learning classes at the University of Pittsburgh.

Ellen was a true master in the art and practice of friendship. She made friends wherever she found herself. She loved children and teens and had an instant rapport with them. She quickly made strangers feel welcome, was fun to be with and gave of herself and her time to her friends and family. We all will miss the gift of her presence.

A memorial service was held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 600 Pitt St., Wilkinsburg, PA 15221, on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m., Reverend Nancy Chalfant-Walker officiating. Another service will be held in Boothbay Harbor, Maine at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.