Ellen Susan Stephens
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Ellen Susan Stephens

  • May 30, 1949 - January 21, 2012
  • Austin, Texas
  • In lieu of sending flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Temple Beth Shalom or to the charity of choice
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“To those she left behind. It is my hope that you will be able to gravitate, when appropriate, to Ellen's kindness and open mind towards others. That...Read More » ”
1 of 9 | Posted by: Donna Kelly Kent - Los Angeles, CA

“We are thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. Know that time will help ease the pain, but the great memories with Ellen will...Read More » ”
2 of 9 | Posted by: RICHARD & BEVERLY ROLAND - Austin, TX

“Sincere condolences to Ellen's family and friends. I am grateful to have both worked with Ellen at the Statesman and to have been her student at St....Read More » ”
3 of 9 | Posted by: Matthew Parks - Washington, DC

“When I think of people I admire, Ellen comes to mind. She was a successful businesswoman, an inspirational teacher, and a dedicated mother to David...Read More » ”
4 of 9 | Posted by: Pat Goldstein

“David, we love you and want you to know that, as always, we are here for you. Your mother raised a wonderful, hard working and incredibly sensitive...Read More » ”
5 of 9 | Posted by: The Cooksley Family - Bee Cave, TX

“Ellen was a wonderful person to be around. She will be greatly missed. My sympathy to the family. ”
6 of 9 | Posted by: Rebecca Bartosh - Austin, TX

“Carolyn...your mom was such a great lady!..I have so many fond memories of her that date back to when you were in kindergarten. You were very blessed...Read More » ”
7 of 9 | Posted by: Nancy Blackburn - Austin

“Heaven has another angel. You will be missed, Ellen, and will be forever in our hearts. Thoughts and prayers to the family. ”
8 of 9 | Posted by: Lisa Sullivan

“What I will always remember about Ellen is that she was a wonderful and loving mother. Though she was a brilliant and very accomplished person, her...Read More » ”
9 of 9 | Posted by: Edna Butts - Austin, TX


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Ellen Susan Stephens, 62, died on Saturday, January 21, 2012, at her home in Austin. Ellen was born in Brooklyn, New York, grew up in New Jersey, and moved to Austin in 1981 with her husband, John Stephens, to attend the University of Texas.

Ellen was involved with education in one way or another throughout her life. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in Spanish in 1971. She later attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she graduated with an M.A. in linguistics in 1980. While at the University of Michigan, she taught English as a Second Language at the English Language Institute and co-authored Reader's Choice, a highly-acclaimed textbook for students of English that is still in use worldwide. She graduated in 1983 from the University of Texas with an M.B.A.

After graduating from the University of Texas, Ellen was an Assistant Dean at St. Edward's University and later taught business communications there for many years as an adjunct instructor. Until her recent retirement due to illness, she was the head of the Human Resources Department at the Austin American-Statesman. She will be greatly missed by her colleagues and her students, who remember her as a wonderful teacher and a person with a keen wit and a great sense of humor.

Ellen is survived by her two children, her sister, her parents, and her aunt. Her children were the pride and joy of her life: her son David is the Middle School Head Counselor at the Jewish Community Center of Austin and her daughter, Carolyn, is a freshman at St. Edward's University and wants to follow in her mothers footsteps. Her sister, Joanne Bober, lives in Dallas, her mother and father, Martha and Monroe Bober, live in Austin and her aunt, Betty Fried, lives in New York.

Our family would like to give special thanks to the staff of the Home Option for their diligent and thoughtful attention to Ellen's needs.

The funeral will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on North Lamar at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, January 24. Interment will follow in the Beth Shalom section at Austin Memorial Park. The family request that donations be made to Temple Beth Shalom or to the charity of choice in lieu of sending flowers.