Ellen has called The Meadows home since 2015, when she and her husband, John Evans, made the move after decades of living just a mile away on John Page Drive. The couple had settled there in the 1970s after relocating from New York. What was meant to be a smooth transition took an unexpected turn when John suffered a serious fall just eight days before their move. The accident resulted in a hospital stay that changed the course of their lives. Despite the uncertainty, Ellen was immediately struck by the compassion of her new neighbors at The Meadows, who checked on her daily and offered prayers and support during John’s time in the ICU. One of those neighbors, Shelley Ross, prayed with Ellen during those difficult moments, a gesture Ellen has never forgotten. John passed away in 2019.
Ellen was born on March 11, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in a humble Italian neighborhood housing project alongside her twin sister and two younger brothers. Though their means were modest, Ellen describes her childhood as joyful and rich with experience. She spent her days playing outside, attending her local Methodist church, and riding the train to Coney Island with her family. Summers were especially memorable, spent with her grandmothers who lovingly made Italian bread and peppers, filling Ellen’s early years with warmth, tradition, and a deep sense of family.
From an early age, Ellen felt called to teach. While still in high school, she and her twin sister began teaching children at their Methodist church, planting the seeds for a lifelong vocation. Ellen and her sister were the first in their family to attend college, a milestone that reflected both determination and a belief in the power of education. Her first teaching assignment was in Bedford-Stuyvesant in New York City, where she taught kindergarten and first grade in a school system facing significant challenges at the time. Ellen embraced the work wholeheartedly, teaching predominantly African American students and laying strong foundations that would shape young lives for years to come.
After five years of teaching in New York, Ellen and her husband moved to San Antonio, where she spent the remainder of her 38-year career with San Antonio ISD. She taught kindergarten through elementary grades at Harlandale and Bellaire, as well as ESL, Language Arts and Social Studies. While she loved all her students, she held a special fondness for third graders and their natural curiosity and eagerness to learn. Ellen’s impact as an educator was widely recognized. She was featured in a 10-part Express-News education series and was nominated for and received Teacher of the Year awards, including one from the Methodist Church. To Ellen, teaching was never just about academics; it was about instilling morals, values, compassion, and care for others. She describes teaching as both a blessing and a gift in her life.
John, who was also an educator and a home missionary for the Methodist Church, lived with IBM muscular disease and required increasing levels of care in his later years. He spent his last five years at The Manor, where Ellen visited weekly and became deeply involved in the life of that community. She formed close bonds with residents, including Mary Stickney, a fellow New Yorker whom Ellen helped feel welcomed and connected. Ellen encouraged friendships, fostered socialization, and remained present for Mary even in her final days. Through these experiences, and with training in Stephen Ministry for caring for the sick and dying, Ellen describes having many meaningful spiritual experiences at The Manor that strengthened her faith and sense of purpose.
When John passed away six years ago, Ellen remembers the quiet that followed once family returned home after the funeral. Determined to stay connected and engaged, she chose to participate in the Meadows talent show that same year, stepping forward as a way to heal and to feel part of the community once more. Since then, Ellen has embraced life at The Meadows with enthusiasm and joy. She believes her purpose now is simple and powerful: to spread joy, have fun, and help others do the same.
Today, Ellen says living at The Meadows is another gift in her life. She wakes each morning excited about the activities ahead, from line dancing at The Oasis to visiting friends at The Manor, and performing in the annual talent show—often alongside her twin sister who flies in from Virginia. She is known for organizing and decorating the hallways during Christmas, bringing warmth and cheer throughout the community. Ellen is also active at Laurel Heights Methodist Church, which she attends regularly with a few of her fellow residents.
Ellen treasures the relationships she has built at The Meadows and holds a special appreciation for the staff, including Wes and Alejandro, who help make the community feel like home. She also enjoys traveling, visiting her sister in Virginia, and recently attending a Force family reunion in Colorado, proudly noting that Force is her maiden name. With a smile and a laugh, Ellen says, “May the Force be with you!”
Ellen’s life story is one of faith, service, resilience, and joy. Whether through teaching, ministry, dancing, or simply sharing a smile, she continues to enrich the lives of those around her, proving that purpose, connection, and fun have no age limit.